Successful Homecoming for Devils Skaters

Jeremy Kenter's picture
It was quite a homecoming for several Devils players this past weekend when they visited the Minnesota Wild.  Jamie Langenbrunner, Paul Martin and Zach Parise all returned home, surrounded by dozens of family members and friends.  You had the captain, the No. 1 defenseman and team scoring leader all originate from what’s now known as Hockeytown USA.  Just unbelievable.  Paul Martin returned home this past weekend to Minneapolis, where he first starred in high school and then in the University of Minnesota.  During his youth, Martin dominated hockey, helping his college win two national championships.

In fact, Martin became the third Devils skater (current or former) to earn Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey, an award dedicated to the most outstanding senior high school ice hockey player in the state of Minnesota, behind Erik Rasmussen and Tom Chorske.  Unlike the latter guys, the Devils drafted Martin in the second round of the 2000 draft.

After three successful NHL seasons, the Devils re-signed Martin to a 3-year $11-million extension, holding onto their top defenseman.  He has rewarded the Devils with 28 points, which leads all blueliners, and an incredible +21, commandeering the top defensive unit with Johnny Oduya.  Martin has also helped Oduya rebound from early season struggles.  Oduya now co-leads the team in the plus minus department (+22), thanks to Martin’s expertise and knowledge since entering the league in the 2003-04 campaign.

Back to the game.

Martin finished +2, while Langenbrunner tallied the lone shootout goal and the Devils rallied for a 4-3 win.  Martin Brodeur rescued the Devils from an early 2-0 deficit, making 34 saves.  Two days later, Brodeur won his 40th game of the season for the seventh time in his illustrious career.

·       Paul Martin finally gets a "home" game in the NHL (3-13)-- Star News

 




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