FEATURE: MB30 Invitational Takes Place Tuesday
The event will bring together a few members of the 2000 Stanley Cup team, as well as some current Devils, to help make a difference in the community
by Chris Wescott / NewJerseyDevils.com
NEWARK, NJ - On Tuesday, Martin Brodeur will host his inaugural MB30 Invitational Golf Tournament to benefit the Devils Care Foundation. In addition to aiding a good cause and helping to enrich the lives of New Jersey's youth, the event will bring together some members of the Devils 2000 Stanley Cup team.
Video: 1-ON-1 | Brodeur on MB30 Invitational
"It's exciting, you know," said Brodeur. "Obviously, in my spare time, I like to play golf. So I figured might as well kind of marry both with a little bit of business…
"I thought I wanted to do something really personal with our supporters and the people that are involved in the organization… there are a lot of older players that are going to come in, as well as active players, to support us to have a great event. It's definitely going to be a fun day."
Devils alumni Bob Carpenter, Ken Daneyko, Scott Gomez, Bobby Holik, Petr Sykora, Jim McKenzie, and John Madden will be among those in attendance at Plainfield Country Club, and they'll be joining current Devils Andy Greene, Kyle Palmieri, Cory Schneider, Travis Zajac, Blake Coleman, and Sami Vatanen.
The all-day, sold-out event will begin with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. and have a cocktail hour and lunch reception to complete the day. Members of the Devils senior leadership, as well as celebrity guest Michael Strahan, will also be on hand.
With a handful of players from that 2000 Stanley Cup roster on hand, Tuesday will serve as a small reunion ahead of the 20th anniversary of the victory coming this spring. The Devils defeated the Dallas Stars four games to two on their path to securing their second of three Stanley Cups.
"I'm sure it is but it's gonna be fun for us," Brodeur said. "20 years ago, we did a special feat winning the Stanley Cup here in New Jersey… and, obviously, throughout the course of the year, we'll do a lot of different events to invite these guys to come back in the organization and really celebrate the winning of that Stanley Cup."
But more important than the sharing of stories, feelings of nostalgia, and bonding of hockey players, will be the community benefit.
The Devils Care Foundation aims to facilitate life-changing opportunities through the power of sports and entertainment. The wide-reaching foundation focuses on areas where there are many challenges and an opening to make a difference and impact on the lives of others.
"It's going to give us the opportunity to help the youth around New Jersey," said Brodeur.
"With the help of our sponsors and the people attending this event, we hope to raise a good amount money to be able to make a big difference."