"The boyhood bedroom of Steve Mason served as a shrine to goaltending.

Coated in New Jersey Devils red, the walls were festooned with photos of the game's greats. One goaltender's image, however, dominated the shelves and dresser tops the way it now does the NHL record books.

There were Martin Brodeur figurines. Martin Brodeur trading cards. Martin Brodeur pictures. Nobody had trouble Christmas shopping for Mason, a then-budding goaltender prospect in Oakville, Ontario. He liked to think even the family's miniature schnauzer, Brodie, was named for the Devils' super stopper.

"We are slowly trying to take that stuff out because I don't spend a lot of time at home anymore," the 21-year-old Blue Jackets goaltender said. "But there is still some stuff hanging."

Mason's fascination with all things Brodeur enters another dimension tonight in the Prudential Center when the second-year pro is expected to play opposite the 37-year-old legend for the first time.

"Any time you get a chance to play against an idol, whether it's a Joe Sakic or a Mario Lemieux, it's a special moment," Mason said. "For me, it would be more of a cool thing to talk about with my buddies. (Brodeur) was one of our favorite players."

Most multimillionaire athletes, regardless of the sport, share a common trait: They grew up huge fans of the games they play. The opportunity to measure their skills against a bedroom poster come to life is another sign of career success."