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Thursday, 14 October 2010 11:57

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

When the call showed up on our cell phone with a strange area code, we full expected the worst.

We had been led to believe by the complaints of some Penguins fans that the man we were about to chat with was an arrogant, egotistical punk. He has no sense or respect for history. This was a bad human.

The reality was completely the opposite.

T.J. Brodie isn't trampling on history. He isn't egotistical. He isn't trying to put himself on a level with one of the true icons of the sport.

He's just your typical soft-spoken, humble Canadian kid who is just happy to have an NHL job for the time being.

He just happens to have an interesting jersey number.

66.

Yeah. That number.

Only five players in NHL history have worn that number. Former Flyers left winger, Yanick Dupre, former Capitals center Milan Novy, former Canucks left winger Gino Odjick, Brodie and you know who.

It's probably safe to say, it's most associated with Mario Lemieux.

So when T.J. Brodie surprisingly made the Flames' NHL roster out of training camp this month, he seemed to be doing the unthinkable by wearing No. 66. In the eyes of many Penguins fans, he was being disrespectful.

Not quite.

Brodie is your prototypical rookie. As a 20-year-old defenseman, he's just happy to be at this level, and all he wants to worry about is how can he stay at this level. A fourth-round pick in 2008, he had a fantastic training camp and found a way to start the season in Calgary. But since he's on a two-way contract, it won't take a lot for Calgary's brass to sent him to Abbotsford of the AHL and a life of riding buses.

So to say the least he's not established. And as a result, he was given 66. He didn't ask for it. It was just there in his stall at the start of training camp. And as a rookie, it wasn't his place to ask for another. But once he establishes himself a little bit, he may investigate getting a number which stands out less.

Brodie recently discussed his situation and hoped to clear his good name.

How did you get you get No. 66?

"I got it two years ago when I showed up (for training) camp and it stuck. It's just easier for the training staff to keep it for now."

We're you ever a fan of Lemieux?

"Definitely. I always watched Don Cherry "Rock'em Sock'em" (videos). They had a bunch of his goals. He beat Ray Bourque one time and split the (defense) once. And I remember the comeback and when he won the gold medal for Canada (at the 2002 Olympics)."

You realize some Penguins fans aren't crazy about this?

"I understand. He's a great player and I have total respect for him. It's not any disrespect. If I get a chance to change it, I will."

What about the Facebook group dedicated towards forcing you to change the number?

"It's pretty funny but at the same time I can't worry about it. "

He wore No. 22 with Barrie of the OHL last season. Does that number mean anything to you?

"I never really never had a favorite number. Of the three that were available at Barrie, that's the one I took."

If you're still on the NHL roster and still wearing No. 66 when the Flames visit Pittsburgh Nov. 27, do you expect to be booed?

"Oh yeah definitely. Some fans won't be happy with it but that comes with the territory."

(Photo: Brodie-Mike Ridewood/Getty Images; Lemieux-Penguins Hockey Cards)

Comments (13)

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written by agiesbrecht, October 14, 2010 - 02:09 PM

I don't really have a problem with it. He should, though, because it just raises all expectations on him, fairly or not.

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written by eman41, October 14, 2010 - 02:45 PM

The Flames come to the Consol Energy Center on November 27th. He steps on the ice with that number and he's going to get booed for sure...

...and then go on two score a 2 goals and 4 points including the game winner in overtime.

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written by Sooska, October 14, 2010 - 02:49 PM

he's a jerk cause he knows what this is about. he thinks he is bigger than 66. jerk.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, October 14, 2010 - 02:52 PM

The next guy the Pens call up should be issued #99, just to see what would happen.

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written by houndogg, October 14, 2010 - 02:59 PM

no... if anything, boo the training staff. this kid is on nhl ice, and that's all he's worried about... and at this point, that's all he should be worried about. not his falut, and there's no damn way he'll be rocking the boat. also, the #66 obviously isn't retired league wide. what obligation does calgary have to lemieux? let the kid enjoy his time in the nhl, and when the time is right all will be well in yinzer-heaven.

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written by eman41, October 14, 2010 - 03:09 PM

boo the training staff. this kid is on nhl ice, and that's all he's worried about.

I'm not saying what should happen...I'm saying what will happen.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, October 14, 2010 - 03:11 PM

Right...Don't boo him, just boo his jersey.

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written by houndogg, October 14, 2010 - 03:39 PM

but we shouldn't call him a "jerk" or feel that he had anything to do with this. that was my only real point

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written by Sooska, October 14, 2010 - 05:32 PM

he doesn't have anything to do with this? you are kidding. right? he is the only one who has anything to do with it. or he is too stupid, or too much of a typical Canadian Francophobe, to get it.

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written by EricNaughton, October 14, 2010 - 09:32 PM

Should Dupuis be booed because he wears #9? Booing because of a number is silly. Now, if his last name were Lemieux and he wore #66...

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written by pittbeatwv, October 14, 2010 - 09:43 PM

Maybe if Geno switched to 66 he could bury a penalty shot

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written by BlackAndGoldBlood, October 14, 2010 - 10:33 PM

Blame goes to the organization as a whole, as well as the kid.

Poor decision by Calgary's management, handing out this "unofficially" retired number, especially to a prospect. And all Brodie has to do is ask for a different number. Let the boos rain down...

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written by hockeyislife, October 16, 2010 - 01:33 AM

The Pens can't assign any player #99 because it is a retired number by the league. The best players have their numbers retired by the league and the only number retired by the NHL is #99.

99>66

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