In 1986, when Brodeur was 14, Patrick Roy burst onto the scene with the Canadiens. He was a goalie from Quebec, a large man with a ton of talent playing in a hockey-obsessed town. Brodeur's father Denis was the Canadiens' photographer and young goalie Martin asked for a picture of Roy to put in his room with the other players he admired. At about 16, Brodeur met Roy for the first time. By then he was used to meeting athletes and while he was excited, and he remembers it, he certainly wasn't overwhelmed.
Winner takes home the Stanley Cup.
That's what made last year's Stanley Cup Finals so special. You had two fine goaltenders at their best. For Brodeur, Roy showed that a French Canadien goalie could come into the league and dominate. His style was a little restricting for Brodeur. Even at 14 or 15, Brodeur knew he wanted to be a puck handler who helps keep the play moving and gives his teammates another skater on the ice.