Yes, Jamie Langenbrunner was officially named team captain before Wednesday's game against Boston.  In New Jersey Devils fashion, there was no press conference or major announcement made, nothing fancy.

Maybe, that's the way the Devils like to play as well, modest.

Understandably, they probably want the Prudential Center to be sold out of its 17,625 seats and rocking from start to finish each game.

But, hockey is just not as significant to sports fans, apparently anymore.  I asked my friends, guys and girls, and it's just not a priority of theirs, like google-ing, or watching a ridiculous video on youtube, and then forcing me to watch it with them.

The media would also rather focus its attention on a conversation between Alex Rodriguez and Warren Buffet than one of the most successful professional athletes, Martin Brodeur.

While A-Rod may break the all-time home run record in baseball, he is nowhere near that mark at age 32.

Brodeur, on the other hand, has already broken various goaltender records and is well on his way to the Hall of Fame when he eventually hangs up his skates.

At age 34, Marty broke the regular season wins record with his 48th victory, in addition to owning three Stanley Cup Trophies, three Vezinas, and an Olympic Gold Medal.

A-Rod has never even won the World Series, as a Mariner, a Ranger, or a Yankee.

But, he's A-Rod and will always receive a stronger spotlight for playing in New York, the Big Apple.

I think that has worked out great for Brodeur and the Devils organization (three Cups since moving to New Jersey in 1982), which has nearly equaled the Yankees' four World-Series dominance during the 90's and into the new milenium.

Did you see the expression on Brodeur's face after he earned win No. 500? He took a drink of Gatorade and then let out a smile.  Were hundreds of media personnel surrounding him, bombarding him with questions on reaching this milestone? Nope.

Just the way Marty and the rest of the Devils go about their business, humble yet successful.

Isn't success all that matters for professional athletes! I guess some prefer the spotlight over winning the big game.. for dollar bills, duh.

For the Devils, it's not about that.  It's about winning and losing.  It's the reason that GM Lou Lamoriello has gone through coach after coach before settling on former NHL player and minor league coach Brent Sutter this season.

Did hundreds of media attend the ceremony, and millions of fans watch it live on ESPN? Probably not.

But they sure watched Rodriguez pop up or strike out in the playoffs this past year.

When it push comes to shove, I'll take the Devils any day of the week, and you can have fun with A-Rod.

Just don't expect more than a big house and a furry coat.

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