On September 2^nd, 2000, the St. Leonard Arena became the Martin-Brodeur Arena.A few months earlier, the Mayor of St. Léonard and members of the City Council decided on the change of name to honour the renowned local athlete. Martin and the New Jersey Devils had just won their second Stanley Cup and it was a fitting moment to change the name of the arena.

That day was quite memorable for Martin. The arena in which he grew up was filled with young players, parents and friends. They all came for the inauguration of the Martin-Brodeur Arena and to meet the star goaltender. Following the ceremony, Martin shook hands with each spectator and offered each a souvenir photo.

Martin and his family felt quite honoured by the gesture made by the City of St. Léonard.

Martin, who had played his entire Minor Hockey career in that arena, has found memories of his childhood.

Fitting finish to Brodeur's seasons of highs and lows

Wednesday, 07.08.2009 / 4:08 PM/ NewsBy John Dellapina - NHL.com Columnist

SAINT-LEONARD, Quebec -- What might have been the most tumultuous and exhilarating season of Martin Brodeur's storied career was brought to a fitting conclusion today -- in the place where it all began for the legendary New Jersey Devils goaltender.

At a lunchtime ceremony in the local hockey rink where he learned toskate and where he first tended goal -- a rink that has since beenrenamed for him -- Brodeur was honored with a proclamation from thenorth Montreal town of Saint-Leonard, the medal of the Province ofQuebec and a bronze bust and plaque presented by the National HockeyLeague.

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The plaque, which commemorates Brodeur's March 17, 2009, setting of theNHL's all-time record for victories by a goaltender, will hang foreverin Saint-Leonard's Arena Martin Brodeur.Today, with his family and friends by his side, Brodeur accepted theplaque and the accolades from local dignitaries -- includingSaint-Leonard Mayor Michel Bissonnet.

"This is really special," Brodeur told NHL.com, standing before theglass-enclosed case in the arena's atrium that is filled withphotographs of his exploits, game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia."Every time you get recognized, you think of the people who made it allpossible for you -- the people who brought you to life, really. Theseare the people who really gave me a chance to play the game."

Similarly honored in New Jersey at the statehouse in Trenton threeweeks ago, Brodeur was especially touched by the outpouring ofaffection he received from the longtime friends and neighbors he seesall too infrequently anymore.

"Especially for me, this is special because we always took a lot ofpride in being from Saint-Leonard," he said. "I can't really call thisarena by name -- I'll always call it 'Arena Saint-Leonard.' But for thekids just starting out now, they know it by my name. That's special."