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Boston Bruins Blogger •
With the exception of the 2008-09 season, being the backup to Martin Brodeur has been a task that requires the utmost patience. From 1997-98 to 2007-08, someone other than Brodeur got the nod just 87 times over a 10 season span for the New Jersey Devils.
28-year-old Yann Danis, who started 29 games for the Islanders last season, signed on with New Jersey this past summer to fill the role that netminders Mike Dunham, Chris Terreri, Scott Clemmensen, Kevin Weekes and a short list of others have held over the past decade: spotting the league's all time leader in wins with the occasional night off.
"Well, actually they told me I was going to be number one." Danis sarcastically stated after his 2009-10 debut. "No, I mean, I knew coming in that Marty is the guy. Having said that, I want to play as many games as possible, and the only way to do that is to show the coaches that I can play and I can do the job."
With 31 saves on 32 shots (.969 Sv%) in his first start for the Devils, a 2-1 win on the road against the Boston Bruins, it's safe to say Danis proved to be reliable when called upon.
Danis' last regular season start came, ironically enough, back on April 12th in an eventual 6-2 loss at home to the Bruins to close out the Islander's campaign. He has bided his time, serving solely as an onlooker from the end of the Devils' bench, as Brodeur started the first 10 games of the season.
"I was waiting for this one for a while. You know, you think about it and it’s definitely good to get the first one out of the way." Danis said. "The only way to stay sharp is to work hard in practice and try to approach practices the same as games. You want to make sure you keep that edge so when I do get the start that I’m ready."
With almost seven months having passed since his last start, one might expect a goaltender to be a bit jittery before not only his first game of the year, but his debut as a Devil.
"Not really, I mean, I was nervous before the game, but I’m always [nervous] before any game. If I’m not nervous, then I feel a little worried. The butterflies were there but as soon as the puck dropped, I was ready."
Aside from an unstoppable Patrice Bergeron shot from close range in the 2nd period, Danis' stonewalled the Bruins all night. He looked positionally sharp and well prepared, despite the long layoff. He credited his diligence at practice for his strong performance Thursday night.
"I think I’ve been playing really well in practice and I think that’s the key. They had a few chances early on and I made the saves and built confidence from that and then we scored the first goal." the netminder said. "Then after that we kind of settled down a bit and played really good defensively. It definitely helped me out there."
The start was a homecoming of sorts as Danis, a Quebec native, spent four years at Providence's Brown University. Danis, who was dynamite in his senior season with five shutouts and a .942 Sv% in 30 starts, enjoyed being back in familiar New England territory.
"I spent four years of my life not too far from here down in Providence. I really like the area around here and Boston is a great sports city. There was a great atmosphere in the building so it was definitely nice to get the win here."
Danis' first appeared in the NHL during the 2005-06 season with the Canadiens, having signed on as a free agent with Montreal after concluding his collegiate career. He spent majority of his tenure there (2004-2008) with their AHL affiliate in Hamilton before joining the Isles last year.
Having played for a cellar dweller last season, Danis said he's thrilled to be on board with the Devils, a staple in the Eastern Conference playoffs since 1996-97.
"Definitely. When I signed here this summer, I was really looking forward to it. You can’t ask for more as far as an organization. They compete every year, they want to go to the Cup every year." the first-year Devil said.
"It’s a first class organization, a great group of guys. Hopefully I can have a good year and be here for a while."
If he continues to perform as well as he did Thursday in Boston, I'm sure Lou Lamoriello and the rest of the Devils' brass won't mind having Danis around to turn to when their future Hall of Fame netminder needs a breather.
POSTGAME VIDEO
Danis discussing the preparation he put in for his debut:
A quick video of Patrice Bergeron, when asked about the recent two year anniversary of the concussion he suffered against Randy Jones and the Flyers in October of 2007:
And finally, on a personal note, I figured I'd share with you all that today (October 30th) is my 24th birthday. Before I head out this evening to celebrate the occasion, I'll be posting what should prove to be one of the most interesting editions of Fan Poll Friday yet. So be sure to stay tuned.
JC
ROCK THE VOTE: Fan Poll Friday: Best Way To End a Regular Season Game Tied After Three Periods
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS?: Email HockeybuzzBruins
ARCHIVE FOOTAGE: The HockeybuzzBruins Youtube Channel
FOLLOW ME TO FREEDOM: JC's Tweets
BOOKWORM: The Details of JC's New England Hockey Book in the Works
28-year-old Yann Danis, who started 29 games for the Islanders last season, signed on with New Jersey this past summer to fill the role that netminders Mike Dunham, Chris Terreri, Scott Clemmensen, Kevin Weekes and a short list of others have held over the past decade: spotting the league's all time leader in wins with the occasional night off.
"Well, actually they told me I was going to be number one." Danis sarcastically stated after his 2009-10 debut. "No, I mean, I knew coming in that Marty is the guy. Having said that, I want to play as many games as possible, and the only way to do that is to show the coaches that I can play and I can do the job."
With 31 saves on 32 shots (.969 Sv%) in his first start for the Devils, a 2-1 win on the road against the Boston Bruins, it's safe to say Danis proved to be reliable when called upon.
Danis' last regular season start came, ironically enough, back on April 12th in an eventual 6-2 loss at home to the Bruins to close out the Islander's campaign. He has bided his time, serving solely as an onlooker from the end of the Devils' bench, as Brodeur started the first 10 games of the season.
"I was waiting for this one for a while. You know, you think about it and it’s definitely good to get the first one out of the way." Danis said. "The only way to stay sharp is to work hard in practice and try to approach practices the same as games. You want to make sure you keep that edge so when I do get the start that I’m ready."
With almost seven months having passed since his last start, one might expect a goaltender to be a bit jittery before not only his first game of the year, but his debut as a Devil.
"Not really, I mean, I was nervous before the game, but I’m always [nervous] before any game. If I’m not nervous, then I feel a little worried. The butterflies were there but as soon as the puck dropped, I was ready."
Aside from an unstoppable Patrice Bergeron shot from close range in the 2nd period, Danis' stonewalled the Bruins all night. He looked positionally sharp and well prepared, despite the long layoff. He credited his diligence at practice for his strong performance Thursday night.
"I think I’ve been playing really well in practice and I think that’s the key. They had a few chances early on and I made the saves and built confidence from that and then we scored the first goal." the netminder said. "Then after that we kind of settled down a bit and played really good defensively. It definitely helped me out there."
The start was a homecoming of sorts as Danis, a Quebec native, spent four years at Providence's Brown University. Danis, who was dynamite in his senior season with five shutouts and a .942 Sv% in 30 starts, enjoyed being back in familiar New England territory.
"I spent four years of my life not too far from here down in Providence. I really like the area around here and Boston is a great sports city. There was a great atmosphere in the building so it was definitely nice to get the win here."
Danis' first appeared in the NHL during the 2005-06 season with the Canadiens, having signed on as a free agent with Montreal after concluding his collegiate career. He spent majority of his tenure there (2004-2008) with their AHL affiliate in Hamilton before joining the Isles last year.
Having played for a cellar dweller last season, Danis said he's thrilled to be on board with the Devils, a staple in the Eastern Conference playoffs since 1996-97.
"Definitely. When I signed here this summer, I was really looking forward to it. You can’t ask for more as far as an organization. They compete every year, they want to go to the Cup every year." the first-year Devil said.
"It’s a first class organization, a great group of guys. Hopefully I can have a good year and be here for a while."
If he continues to perform as well as he did Thursday in Boston, I'm sure Lou Lamoriello and the rest of the Devils' brass won't mind having Danis around to turn to when their future Hall of Fame netminder needs a breather.
POSTGAME VIDEO
Danis discussing the preparation he put in for his debut:
A quick video of Patrice Bergeron, when asked about the recent two year anniversary of the concussion he suffered against Randy Jones and the Flyers in October of 2007:
And finally, on a personal note, I figured I'd share with you all that today (October 30th) is my 24th birthday. Before I head out this evening to celebrate the occasion, I'll be posting what should prove to be one of the most interesting editions of Fan Poll Friday yet. So be sure to stay tuned.
JC
ROCK THE VOTE: Fan Poll Friday: Best Way To End a Regular Season Game Tied After Three Periods
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS?: Email HockeybuzzBruins
ARCHIVE FOOTAGE: The HockeybuzzBruins Youtube Channel
FOLLOW ME TO FREEDOM: JC's Tweets
BOOKWORM: The Details of JC's New England Hockey Book in the Works
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