Although the Penguins have an enriched past of hockey success, I find it hard pressed not to recognize some of the most memorable players of our generation to be included in the top 20 most memorable penguins. For the last three years have been some of the most memorable of a Pens fan’s life.
With this said, the way that free agency has been in recent years, it has been difficult for a player to have a tenure with one team. However, Brooks Orpik has been a player that has not only stood the test of time as a Penguins icon. Like Phil Bourque (refer to last weeks post) Brooks Orpik is nowhere even close to be known for his scoring ability. As a matter of fact, sometimes you almost expect Marc-Andre Fleury to sink one before Orpik would. However, Orpik has been known as the premiere defenseman for the Penguins and, for that matter, the National Hockey League.
Look no further than his demeanor on large stages. Brooks Orpik has been known to play the big minutes and carry the biggest load on his team. During the Stanley Cup finals in 2008 and 2009, we looked for standout performances from Orpik on a consistent basis. Darren Helm, Marian Hossa, even tough bruisers like Niklas Kronwall felt the sting of Brooks Orpik’s bite. Without question, the biggest moment of his career came in game 3 of the 2008 cup finals. Orpik flattened 3 Red Wings players with 4 crushing blows in the span of about 15 seconds. Pens won the game, and Orpik was immortalized for that span of hits that shortly after was named, “The Shift”.
The United States got a fair share of Orpik as they watched the boys in red, white, and blue put on a heroic show in the Olympics in Vancouver. This came as no surprised that Orpik made the team, but in a world of offensive-defensivemen, there were certainly doubters if Orpik was up to the challenge. What ensued was the same Orpik that we have seen time and time again. Penguins fans sat nervously as he flattened fellow Penguin and Canadian, Sidney Crosby. Although our hearts were in our throats every time they tangled, you could not help but admire the dedication that Orpik has to his team, regardless of the jersey color. Therefore proving he will give you everything he’s got. So having dawn a Penguins sweater makes it that much better.
Though, more than his playing style, his reputation follows him more than anything. This goes beyond the fact that he is actually named after the late, and great, Herb Brooks. From being a nonexistent defensemen to the x-factor is no easy task, but Orpik has earned that promotion.
With this said, the way that free agency has been in recent years, it has been difficult for a player to have a tenure with one team. However, Brooks Orpik has been a player that has not only stood the test of time as a Penguins icon. Like Phil Bourque (refer to last weeks post) Brooks Orpik is nowhere even close to be known for his scoring ability. As a matter of fact, sometimes you almost expect Marc-Andre Fleury to sink one before Orpik would. However, Orpik has been known as the premiere defenseman for the Penguins and, for that matter, the National Hockey League.
Look no further than his demeanor on large stages. Brooks Orpik has been known to play the big minutes and carry the biggest load on his team. During the Stanley Cup finals in 2008 and 2009, we looked for standout performances from Orpik on a consistent basis. Darren Helm, Marian Hossa, even tough bruisers like Niklas Kronwall felt the sting of Brooks Orpik’s bite. Without question, the biggest moment of his career came in game 3 of the 2008 cup finals. Orpik flattened 3 Red Wings players with 4 crushing blows in the span of about 15 seconds. Pens won the game, and Orpik was immortalized for that span of hits that shortly after was named, “The Shift”.
The United States got a fair share of Orpik as they watched the boys in red, white, and blue put on a heroic show in the Olympics in Vancouver. This came as no surprised that Orpik made the team, but in a world of offensive-defensivemen, there were certainly doubters if Orpik was up to the challenge. What ensued was the same Orpik that we have seen time and time again. Penguins fans sat nervously as he flattened fellow Penguin and Canadian, Sidney Crosby. Although our hearts were in our throats every time they tangled, you could not help but admire the dedication that Orpik has to his team, regardless of the jersey color. Therefore proving he will give you everything he’s got. So having dawn a Penguins sweater makes it that much better.
Though, more than his playing style, his reputation follows him more than anything. This goes beyond the fact that he is actually named after the late, and great, Herb Brooks. From being a nonexistent defensemen to the x-factor is no easy task, but Orpik has earned that promotion.
Because of moments like, “The Shift” and his almost retina piercing eyes, he has acquired and rightfully earned the nickname, “Free Candy”. This was originally a joke by the blog, The Pensblog that had Orpik photoshopped in a creepy fan with, “Free Candy” eerily spray-painted on the van. The nickname has stayed with him ever since and former penguin, Jarkko Ruutu stated that Brooks Orpik was dishing out hits like he was giving “free candy”. Therefore, Brooks Orpik has been known to dish out some free candy or even some freedom candy as exemplified in the Olympics.
Pens fans love him, Carolina Hurricane fans hate him, but you have to admire the dedication, the heart, and the overall commitment that Brooks Orpik brings to the ice day in and day out. It is no surprise that his hard work has earned him a Stanley Cup ring. He is a fierce player that you know will bring his “A” game every minute of every game. I think it is safe to say that the Pens would not be where we are without him.
After all, almost every team has a superstar or marquee player, and they all have their “meat and potato” guys, but only the pens can safely say that they have a little candy in their roster. Brooks Orpik, you would make Herb proud…
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