Jump to content

The Way I'll Always Remember Sarge...


puckrock

Recommended Posts

I just saw the game 4 goal on Youtube...

And I completely forgot that Guerin/Brylin/Rolston were a line.

I know alot of you don't think this but I think he should have his number Retired. He has done everything and anything this franchise has asked for. When the real devils fans think about faces of the franchise Brylin is most definately one of them.

He has played hurt, he has taken a demotion to the 4th line, and he always showed up. I will miss watching him play..

Hopefully 18 will be in the rafters or atleast not worn for 5 or 6 seasons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 59
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

I loved Sarge and everything he brought to the team. He always played whatever role he was asked, never questioned it, and always put the team ahead of himself. The guy is just a flat out winner. You can't ask for a better character, Sarge is a Devil and will always be a Devil.

One of my favorite memories is his only fight that came against the Islanders a couple of years ago. He didn't fair to well in it and I remember being shocked/pumped up/laughing during it but it was awesome.

Great video goat! To me, Brylin was the king of player you think of to best describe the team and it's style when trying to educate someone new to the game. He was loyal, unselfish, commited and the team concept was #1.

Bring on the Ring of Fire and put Sarge at #1.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If Brylin was 2 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier he would have been a dominant NHL player. He did everything right. He was as good as anyone on the A-line at cycling the puck down low, was a fluid skater with great speed in his youth and had a terrific pair of hands. I really liked watching him and Mogilny play with one another. I also bet if he played his career in Europe he would have lit it up over there. It is sad at how the business is, but his time is done and the Devils got everything from him. He also got everything from the Devils. Not many players get to hang up the skates with three stanley cup rings. He is a winner.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread is not complete without this:

I sat in 223 that season and it was right in front of me, the nail in the coffin, and pretty much sealing the deal for our first Cup that night. The building shook for the first time after that goal and I'll never forget it. The guy behind me was jumping up and down so crazily he fell into my row. My all time favorite Devil. Let's also not forget game 3 during a scrum in the 3rd period when it was 5-0 Devils and somehow he and Dino Ciccarelli got tied up and Sarge out of nowhere popped him square on the nose.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just saw the game 4 goal on Youtube...

And I completely forgot that Guerin/Brylin/Rolston were a line.

I know alot of you don't think this but I think he should have his number Retired. He has done everything and anything this franchise has asked for. When the real devils fans think about faces of the franchise Brylin is most definately one of them.

He has played hurt, he has taken a demotion to the 4th line, and he always showed up. I will miss watching him play..

Hopefully 18 will be in the rafters or atleast not worn for 5 or 6 seasons.

Absolutely.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i will always remember sergei as the "little fire hydrant".

This is how Dennis Potvin (who does color commentary for the panthers) described him.

Basically praising the fact that he has a low center of gravity and was tencious and hard to knock off the puck...built like a little fire hydrant.

potvin really dug sergei's play.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i will always remember sergei as the "little fire hydrant".

This is how Dennis Potvin (who does color commentary for the panthers) described him.

Basically praising the fact that he has a low center of gravity and was tencious and hard to knock off the puck...built like a little fire hydrant.

potvin really dug sergei's play.

Rangers fans hate Denis Potvin.

Denis Potvin likes Sergei Brylin.

This makes me love Sarge even more than I already did.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sergei was a "lunch pale" player. He came to work, never complained and when it was all said and done he did his job. He was a true Devil in every sense of the meaning. I will miss you Sarge. thank you for all those great years and all those great Cups. :saddevil:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If, at any point in any game this season, if you can legitimately say "man, we really missed sarge on this play!", or, "having sarge in this game really would've made the difference!" then go ahead and have his number retired.

Because you could say that about Dano all the time right? I think having your jersey retired should be a lot more about character and loyalty then natural skill. I don't really think Lou is going to retire many numbers in his tenure and considering #30 is on the way and he hinted at #27 there probably isn't much room for #18 but I wouldn't loose any sleep over it if it happened, he deserves it as much as one one else for the Devils.

Thanks for the run Sarge.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Because you could say that about Dano all the time right? I think having your jersey retired should be a lot more about character and loyalty then natural skill. I don't really think Lou is going to retire many numbers in his tenure and considering #30 is on the way and he hinted at #27 there probably isn't much room for #18 but I wouldn't loose any sleep over it if it happened, he deserves it as much as one one else for the Devils.

Thanks for the run Sarge.

He was a fan favorite and probably a decent person. I get that. He wasn't a skilled hockey player and had almost 0 impact concerning what happened on the ice. Retiring numbers should be reserved for the best. Daneyko didn't make the highlight reels except for a few hits, but I can't think of very many players in the history of hockey that I'd rather have out in the final minute of a game, protecting a 1 goal lead. Daneyko was a special hockey player.

Edited by metallidevils
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is this is? It isn't top shelf but this sounds like what you're talking about.

P.S. I hate this thread for making me miss Brylin so much!

That wasn't it. It was the game we won on 4/28 in the 07 playoffs against the Sens with like a second left. Beautiful!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know what, I need to friggen vent. First of all, if you want to go diss Sarge and question him, don't do it on a thread about remembering him and praising him. We don't give two-fvcks about your opinion...the fact is if you've been watching Devils hockey for more than 5 years, you can't NOT fall in love with the guy. He always gave us 120%, always had a team-first mentality, and is the exact mold of what a loyal hard-nose Devil should be. Many players on the team should/do aspire to him, and you're a fvcking retard if you don't.

If a guy growing up aspires to be SERGEI BRYLIN in today's NHL, he won't make it past the minors, or if he's really lucky, ever past the third line. I've been watching Devils hockey since 1994. Like it or not, he did NOT have a big impact on the ice, and I don't know how he was off the ice either, he always struck me as the quiet type, but maybe he was a leader. With regards to loyalty? I can't remember a point in his career where another team actively tried to get him, and he chose to take less money and stay with the Devils (not saying it didn't happen, just not that I'm aware of).

And about not complainging about his 'role' - what is he going to complain about? He has hands of stone, no moves, not a hard shot, and you would expect him to complain about being put on the 3rd or 4th line? The fact that a guy with 3rd or 4th line skill didn't complain about getting put on the 3rd or 4th line, and was willing (WOW!!) to play on the second

line if necessary, that's what it takes to get your number retired?

Should the Mets retire Joe McEwing's number because he pinch hit whenever the team wanted to, without complaining, and was willing to play any position, without complaining? Apparently not complaining is the only prerequisite for having your number retired.

With regards to hijacking the thread - you're right, I apologize. We can discuss this further in another thread if you'd like.

Edited by metallidevils
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If a guy growing up aspires to be SERGEI BRYLIN in today's NHL, he won't make it past the minors, or if he's really lucky, ever past the third line. I've been watching Devils hockey since 1994. Like it or not, he did NOT have a big impact on the ice, and I don't know how he was off the ice either, he always struck me as the quiet type, but maybe he was a leader. With regards to loyalty? I can't remember a point in his career where another team actively tried to get him, and he chose to take less money and stay with the Devils (not saying it didn't happen, just not that I'm aware of).

And about not complainging about his 'role' - what is he going to complain about? He has hands of stone, no moves, not a hard shot, and you would expect him to complain about being put on the 3rd or 4th line? The fact that a guy with 3rd or 4th line skill didn't complain about getting put on the 3rd or 4th line, and was willing (WOW!!) to play on the second

line if necessary, that's what it takes to get your number retired?

Should the Mets retire Joe McEwing's number because he pinch hit whenever the team wanted to, without complaining, and was willing to play any position, without complaining? Apparently not complaining is the only prerequisite for having your number retired.

With regards to hijacking the thread - you're right, I apologize. We can discuss this further in another thread if you'd like.

And how long did McEwing last with the Mets? The fact that Sarge was around as long as he was and paid millions over his career by the most tight wad GM in hockey history tells me that he was a little more than a guy "with hands of stone, no moves and not a hard shot". If that's all he brought to the club then apparently a statue could have done the same job and he would have had the same career as McEwing....or perhaps Pierre Dagenais or any one of a number of countless Devils who have come and gone since.

Like a baseball pitcher who pitches for 13 years on the same team but never wins 15 games, but gives you quality starts every year and never complains when asked to move to the bullpen or sent down for a roster spot. Hall of Fame? Of course not. But to the fans of that team, they appreciate the contribution he made every year and the role he played on the team. And if Sarge's crime is that he wasn't blessed with Jagr like talent, then so be it. Most players aren't blessed with Brylin like heart and attitude--and like the thread topic about what we like most about being Devils fans, Sarge's bring your lunch box to work every day ethic resonated with the fans as a reflection of NJ itself. NJ loves effort as much as results, and in his role gave us both.

I think it'll be the same feeling when Pandalfo and Madden finally retire as they are also lifelong Devils and cut from the same cloth.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And how long did McEwing last with the Mets? The fact that Sarge was around as long as he was and paid millions over his career by the most tight wad GM in hockey history tells me that he was a little more than a guy "with hands of stone, no moves and not a hard shot". If that's all he brought to the club then apparently a statue could have done the same job and he would have had the same career as McEwing....or perhaps Pierre Dagenais or any one of a number of countless Devils who have come and gone since.

Like a baseball pitcher who pitches for 13 years on the same team but never wins 15 games, but gives you quality starts every year and never complains when asked to move to the bullpen or sent down for a roster spot. Hall of Fame? Of course not. But to the fans of that team, they appreciate the contribution he made every year and the role he played on the team. And if Sarge's crime is that he wasn't blessed with Jagr like talent, then so be it. Most players aren't blessed with Brylin like heart and attitude--and like the thread topic about what we like most about being Devils fans, Sarge's bring your lunch box to work every day ethic resonated with the fans as a reflection of NJ itself. NJ loves effort as much as results, and in his role gave us both.

I think it'll be the same feeling when Pandalfo and Madden finally retire as they are also lifelong Devils and cut from the same cloth.

I understand where you're coming from, but if we start retiring guys like Pandolfo, Madden, Brylin...eventually it's going to lose its' novelty (not to mention that we will run out of numbers before long). I respect the fact that he, at some point during his career, may have taken less money to stay with the Devils. Even if this was true, you don't even know the reasoning behind it - maybe he wanted to stay in Jersey because it was easier for his family, maybe he really didn't want to ever wear another uniform - and maybe he never even got a better offer from another team! Regardless, players of his talent level are a dime a dozen, even though I do have respect for his work ethic, and the fact that he does give 100% every night.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now on this fact, I agree with you. Now realising it, if you do retire Sarge's jersey, it would be blasphemy not to retire Pando's, then Madden, and eventually it becomes a Ranger-like happening... "oh, another one? Cool i guess...". I still believe Sarge deserves it, but I definitely see what you're getting at.

Whoa, hold on there, Brylin has been here for eons longer than Pando and Madden, now don't get me wrong, should Jay and John stay here and retire as Devils, then absolutely, no question they get their #s retired, long after Marty and Patty's #s.

And I don't agree with the "novelty" wearing off, all those players-Stevens-Daneyko-Brodeur-Brylin-Elias-Pandolfo-Madden deserve to have their #s retired because those players were integral parts of the most successful era in the history of the New Jersey Devils.

I even think you could make a case for Colin White ( should he complete his career in NJ) IMO he's very similar to Daneyko.

PS

IMO Neids and Maclean forfeit because they left.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.