INSIDE HOCKEY

On Thursday, June 18th, a train filled with New Jersey Devils fans are heading to Trenton, New Jersey's State House to witness Devils history being made as Martin Brodeur gets his official day.

The New Jersey Senate will proclaim June 18, 2009 as "Martin Brodeur Day."

"On behalf of the entire Senate," Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) said. "We're proud to honor Marty Brodeur as our 'adopted son.' He has kept Devils fans entertained for nearly 20 years and given our State something to be proud of. He's a first-rate athlete who can now claim the distinction of being in a league of his own."

"Marty Brodeur may have been born in Canada," Senate Republican Leader Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (R-Essex, Morris, Somerset and Union) said. "But he's spent 15 years making sure New Jersey has a world class hockey team. It's more than fitting that we honor him today for his contributions to New Jersey Devils fans. Few major sports figures show as much loyalty to their teams and their fans as Marty Brodeur."

Brodeur speaks of his loyalty as being a 'team man' in his book Brodeur:Beyond the Crease. He made the decision a long time ago that it was important to stick with one team, even if that meant taking less money so that the team could fit in other contracts. He didn't want to be greedy, he just wanted to be a New Jersey Devil.

His loyalty to the New Jersey Devils will one day lead to an office job with the Devils when he is ready to retire. That is a responsibility that he is looking forward to. He is a New Jersey Devil for life.

As other players come through the Devils locker room donning the New Jersey Devil seal on their chests, what determines if they remain a New Jersey Devil is if they embody the same values as Brodeur. After all, his legacy is what has made the Devils so successful over the years.

Being a Devil is not about money, it's about the team. Staying with one team for their entire career is what has defined several of the Devils players (John Madden, Jay Pandolfo, Ken Daneyko). Being a Devil has been about loyalty all the way to the end.

The Devils have been very fortunate in having Brodeur as part of their team for the entire length of his career. He has created an amazing legacy as a Devil. He has made history in not only the Devils' books but also in the NHL's books. His eyes have been set on breaking every record and being the number one goaltender ever in the history of the NHL, even if that meant defeating his own hero's record (Patrick Roy's Most Winningest Goaltender record).

This year marks one of the oddest years for Brodeur, but also the luckiest. When he went out early in the season with a torn biceps muscle, the fate of the Devils lingered in limbo. But lucky for him, the team took care of things and went to the number one spot in the Atlantic Division and stayed there on the exact same day that Brendan Shanahan stepped foot onto the ice as a New Jersey Devil for the first time in 2009 (his second time around as a Devil in his career).

When he returned, his comeback was against the Colorado Avalanche (a bit ironic considering Patrick Roy created part of his legacy with the Av's). The night he tied the Most Winningest Goaltender title was the night they were in Montreal playing the Canadiens, the club that defined Roy. Roy was even there that night to see his record tied by the kid that used to hang around the arena all of the time (Brodeur's father is the Canadiens official team photographer).

The night he officially became the Most Winningest Goaltender was in the Devils home arena in Newark, New Jersey. For the first time, Devils fans had a place that they could truly call home. Brodeur gave the fans something to remember that night in Prudential Center.

The Devils, the fans, and New Jersey have something worth celebrating in Martin Brodeur. This is a Canadian who came from Montreal to make New Jersey his home and elevate it to new heights.

The special ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at the State House.