Brodeur: Beyond the Crease

by Martin Brodeur, Damien Cox

Martin Brodeur is a giant in the world of hockey. He is the number-one goalie in the game today, and one of the greatest goaltenders of the modern age. He has been netminder for the New Jersey Devils for 13 years, leading them to three Stanley Cup victories and winning numerous individual awards in the process, including two Vezina trophies. A three-time Olympian for Canada, Brodeur was part of the gold-medal winning team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He was in goal when Team Canada captured the 2004 World Cup and has been a part of every major Canadian team since he broke into the NHL in 1992. He is rated as the fourth most popular and recognizable hockey player of all time (after Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Mario Lemieux).In "Brodeur: Beyond the Crease," the game's best netminder takes a candid, personal look at his career, his sport, the business of hockey, the evolution of the sport, and his journey to the apex of the modern game. It is one man's detailed, unique view of the kaleidoscope of intrigue and competitive chaos that defines today's NHL, a rare opportunity to understand the sport through the eyes of one of the game's most insightful athletes at the height of his abilities.

"Brodeur: Beyond the Crease" traces Brodeur's career, revealing how he became the best, from minor hockey through junior to the NHL and Team Canada. It examines his rich national and personal hockey heritage, and the pivotal role his father and others played in his career, as well as his thoughts and insights on: being part of the effort that turned the New Jersey Devils around from being what Wayne Gretzky called "a Mickey Mouse organization" into one of the game's most powerful and successful franchises; being in the crease in 2002 when Canada ended a 50-year gold medal drought at the Olympics; being a Canadian and a Quebecer playing and living in the US; life as a husband and father of four, his love of motorcycles, and the lifestyle of the modern athlete; pursuing greatness and sporting records; the best goalies he's ever seen and the best NHL shooters; how he prepares for game day; what it's like to be the wealthiest man ever to play his position, and what it was like to watch $8 million in salary fly out the window during the NHL lockout of 2004-2005.

In association with award-winning sports journalist Damien Cox, the top goalie in the game takes us inside the game and beyond, to reveal the man behind the mask.

Genres: Hockey, Sports, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Canada

303 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Justin Broy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was great because if I can find a biography about someone that I like, then it usually turns out to be a good book. This book is about my favorite goalie in the NHL and his name is Martin Brodeur, I love hockey as well so this book is perfect for me. This book is a couple years old so this book could have been bigger and better. This book taught me some new things that I haven't learned yet so it's helpful in that way. The book is just about his life up to a certain part. Overall I love this book and I recommend it to anybody who likes biographies and who likes hockey.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for a challenge in the book club I belong to on Goodreads. I really enjoyed reading about all of Brodeur's accomplishments and idiosyncrasies:-) I love the fact that this book was told in 1st person rather than someone else telling the story. I felt like I was listening to Brodeur himself talk about his life both with hockey and his personal life. If you are a Brodeur fan and want to know more than you already do about the winningest goalie in the NHL, then I highly recommend you read this book!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

i always said that if martin brodeur made music i would listen to it all day long. but he wrote a book and i'm happy. that said - his style of writing is pretty dry and somewhat technical...kinda like dryden's books... but, also, he gets into the "politics" and financial stuff of hockey. he's quite the businessman. yow! his writing is nothing like how he plays in the net but it's a good book by my very favorite goalie.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best biography I've read. It didn't really seem to have many interesting stories in it. Lots of use of the word "I", which makes sense since it's an autobiography, but for some reason it didn't go over well with me. Again, not bad, but not my favorite book in the world.

[Lenka · Rating 1 out of 5]

The guys gotta big ego. All he talks about is stats and money and watever. Nothing inspirational or at least interesting. You disappointed me Brodeur.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good history of all of Marty's accomplishments. I really enjoyed it. Let's Go Devils!

[Stephen Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martin Brodeur has been one of the most famous and well-known goaltenders in the game of hockey today. After reading the autobiography Brodeur: Beyond the Crease, not only have I learned more about such an inspiring player to thousands of people across the sport of hockey, but also I now understand the meaning of superstition, pressure, and excitement in the life of Martin Brodeur. Growing up in St. Leonard near Montreal, Brodeur played hockey everyday as a kid. He did the little things that made a difference early in his career. He worked his hardest to make his way up to be the goaltender that he is today. Martin had to face pressure with a New Jersey Devils team that was facing uncertainty heading into the future. But Brodeur fought back to claim himself worthy enough to be apart of the NHL’s greatest players at a young age. With three Stanley Cup rings and two Vezina trophies, Brodeur has broken records that seemed impossible. This book talks about how Brodeur carried the weight of Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1995, 2000, and 2003. It also mentions how he dealt with the lockout of the 2004-05 season and the tournament he played with many other NHL players. This autobiography also goes into the personal life of Brodeur and how he faced family problems, even during the playoffs. After reading this book, I’ve learned what it takes to be a professional athlete at a high level.

[Ria F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written, it's like you hit a bar for an evening each chapter and Marty just talked about hockey stuff, teams, games, money, lockouts, coaches (serious bromance with Lou) how his personal life fit in, the Olympics, growing up in Montreal, his motorcycles. I've always admired Marty's play, calmness (ok his not mine when he went out of the net for a puck) , his ethics, team play and that only increased after reading the book.

My favorite part of the book?? Him disciplining his son for acting like a Ranger's fan.... just loved it!!!

I hope he someday writes a book on the second half - this book ends before the Devil's moved to the Rock in Newark - he played a lot more big games, broke a lot more records. I'd also like to hear why (I'm pretty sure it was because of Lou - although he was playing less to let Schneider play more - sucks getting old) he broke my heart and went to the Blues, and especially Blues management.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roughly a quarter of what I know about hockey came from this book. When I got it, I knew a few things, but nothing really important. And here not only did I find the interesting, informative story of one of hockey's all-time greats, I found myself laughing and enjoying the read.
Marty Brodeur is a weird guy who basically admits to cheating on his wife and holding grudges against great players for dumb stuff they did. Personally, I'd begrudge them, too. He also has a deep respect for Lou Lamoriello (his GM), Mario Lemieux (his Team Canada captain) and Vadislav Tretiak (who taught him to goalie not like a butterfly).
There were a few things about this book that could have been changed, like how it wasn't in much of an order timewise and how some kind of random stats were thrown around, but in general it was a good book. And it teaches you a lot about hockey, which is nice.

[s · Rating 5 out of 5]

martin brodeur is one of my favorite hockey players, despite my being a Bruins fan. this book cracked me the hell up, mostly because he's so *bitchy* and i loved it. i found the contract stuff mostly boring, but i loved the day-to-day experiences -- i still can't imagine martin brodeur and cam janssen at a movie together -- and while Mr. Brodeur certainly has an ego, he is undoubtedly an amazing goaltender.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read. Marty definitely went off on some tangents to give his opinion when it wasn't necessary. It did give some cool insights into how the NJ Devils are run as an organization. I like to say "you gotta know the enemy." Good times. Go Flyers.

[Jon-Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, this made me like Marty less. He comes off as an anti-Union nationalist. A Quebec fascist almost. And he kinda whines about some things. I dunno. Still insightful though.

[Kellybean · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my favorite book ever! maybe i'm biased because i love marty & the devils but still...excellent book!

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

all I gonna say is if you are a Devils fan, or a big Martin Brodeur fan, like me, you r gonna love it!!!

[Hendrix Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall the book was really good. The only problem with it was that sometimes Martin Brodeur would spend too much time talking about money

[brodeurgirl30 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean...that's my boy. How could I give anything less than 5 stars!

[bruce davidson]

interesting perspective from a goalie point of view. not a bad read

[Harper Sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated cause it came out when he still had some years left to play but interesting nonetheless

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read and nice to have for a Brodeur fan.

[Tom Gase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but a little too much time spending on the NHL player lockouts, including the one that wiped out the 2005 Stanley Cup. A little too much on contract situations and agents. The stuff in this book on Broudeur's games in the NHL as a longtime goalie of the New Jersey Devils was good. Not written all that well and kind of goes all over the place and not in chronological order, but definetely made me want to watch hockey, so this was the perfect book to read during intermissions of the recent NHL playoffs going on now. I don't think enough was written about his 1995 Stanley Cup win, but good stuff and info on the 2000 and 2003 wins as well as the 2001 loss to Colorado. The book was written in 2006, so there is nothing on the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals. A decent hockey read, but nothing too mind blowing. Devil fans will really enjoy.

[Paul Pessolano · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of hockey but must admit I was a little disappointed in this book. Although there is a lot of hockey information in the book ( mostly one-sided), I felt it did not give a good account of the game. I do admit this was probably the intention of the book.

The book is a good account of the life of Marten Brodeur. It is his story told by him and becomes a little one-sided for my liking, however if you are a Brodeur fan you wii probably love it.

In honesty Brodeur is very forthcoming about his life in hockey and does touch on his personal life, especially his marriage problems. Although he did make a serious mistake he may have been unjustly chastised for his indiscretions.

[Roy Peek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read if you are a hockey fan or a New Jersey Devils fan. The talk and action of many that were all based on the Team. It is about the team. Together we can accomplish only so much but as a Team we can all accomplish even more. Brodeur and many others within the Devils organization believed and demonstrated with their actions the benefit of the team and doing more for the team so the Team WINS.

Good read take the time and learn the ins and out of Hockey, NHL, Olympic hockey and more from one of the greatest Goalies.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Martin Brodeur and looked forward to reading this. In the end, while it was somewhat interesting, this book was very repetitive, jumped around a ton and got very tedious at points. Brodeur goes over the same things, repeats himself a lot, and talks far too much about both the lockout and salaries/contracts in general.

[Nathan Croucher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good insight to the league/sport at the time with honest opinions, will keep the book to reread again in the future.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Pretty vanilla. Some very weird sort of shots taken at different guys, but nothing anyone would get pissed off about. And A LOT of whining.

[Andreas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book for hockey fans!

[Lukas Scheidl · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a lifelong Devils fan it was fascinating to gain a glimpse into the life and mind of one of the greatest goaltenders to play the game. However, this wasn’t a particularly engaging book, and the stories felt a bit disjointed. Regardless, it provides an avenue to learn about the inner workings of an NHL organization, and what Martin Brodeur was like as a person.

[Teebz Hbic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Brodeur: Beyond the Crease can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.

[Michael Kurdziolek · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was ok

[Raj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome for all Devils fans.