Treasures FROM THE HALL

THE CALGARY FLAMES ENTERED

the 1990 NHL draft thinking about succession planning behind 27-year-old starting goalie Mike Vernon. When highly ranked phenom – and Western Canada-born – Trevor Kidd slipped outside the top 10, GM Cliff Fletcher got on the phone. He arranged a deal with New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello that had the Flames acquire the 11th overall selection and a second-round pick in exchange for the

20th overall choice and two second-round picks. Kidd was the next big thing, and Calgary grabbed him at No. 11. The Devils were set in goal with Sean Burke, 23, and Chris Terreri, 25. As well, 23-year-old Craig Billington was a standout for New Jersey’s farm team. Lamoriello had no intention of taking Kidd.

But when it came time for New Jersey’s pick at No.

20, Lamoriello took the advice of his head scout David Conte, who insisted he couldn’t let skinny St-Hyacinthe Lasers goalie Martin Brodeur slide. Within three years of that selection, Brodeur made Burke and Billington expendable (they were traded) and shared playing time as a 21-year-old NHL rookie with Terreri. Twenty years later, Brodeur retired with the most wins and shutouts in the history of the NHL.

These are Brodeur’s pads from his Calder Trophywinning 1993-94 season. He donated them to the Hall of Fame on his day with the Stanley Cup in 1995 after a conversation with the Hall’s Pat Plunkett.