BironsGirl43
05-02-2003, 12:46 PM
Sabres starter Biron accepts No. 3 role at world hockey championships
By PIERRE LeBRUN -- Canadian Press
TURKU, Finland -- While some NHLers turn down the chance to play for Canada at the world hockey championship, Martin Biron didn't need to be convinced.
Biron is the No. 1 goalie for the Buffalo Sabres but at the world championships he is behind Canadian starter Sean Burke and Roberto Luongo.
"The bottom line is that we have a guy that's playing in our third goaltender role that would be the No. 1 goaltender on most teams in this tournament," said Canadian head coach Andy Murray. "He's a tremendous young goalie and he's had a great attitude. He keeps everybody loose. I've never seen the guy when he isn't talking.
"He's a great guy who always has a smile on his face."
Burke will start Friday when Canada (3-0) plays upstart Denmark (TSN, 9 a.m. EDT) in the first of three qualifying-round games.
The Danes (1-2-0) won the right to play in the A pool after beating host Hungary 6-2 in the final of B world championships last year. Most of their players are Danish League pros although six come from the Swedish Elite League.
Murray warned his players not to take Denmark lightly, especially after the Danes beat the U.S. 5-2 last weekend.
"Our players have a lot of respect for Denmark," said Murray. "Right now the U.S. is playing in Tampere (in the relegation round) maybe because they didn't have enough respect for Denmark."
Biron will be cheering his teammates from the stands, where he will help keep stats.
The native of Lac St. Charles, Que., says he's had the world championship in mind for quite a while.
"Last year (former Canada GM) Lanny McDonald called me and asked me if I wanted to be part of it. But it was just bad timing for me personally. I was getting married and there were a lot of things happening," Biron said after practice.
"But I really wanted to be part of this experience so when the chance came again this year I really wanted to do it. I was part of the world juniors in 1997 -- we won the gold and it was a great experience."
He says the world juniors gave him a real boost in his last year of junior and hopes this year's championship will give him a edge heading into next season.
"Something else that weighed in when I got the call was that Sean Burke was here," Biron said. "I always followed his career. He's an unbelievable goaltender. With him winning the worlds in '97, I know he has that experience. I thought I could come in and get a few pointers here and there
http://www.slam.ca/Slam030501/hky_can-cp.html
Great article...
The most impressive part of the article is where he says.. that he's glad Sean Burke is there and that he wants to get a few pointers here and there.. that's awesome.. he's always looking for improvement..
GO MARTY!!! :p:
By PIERRE LeBRUN -- Canadian Press
TURKU, Finland -- While some NHLers turn down the chance to play for Canada at the world hockey championship, Martin Biron didn't need to be convinced.
Biron is the No. 1 goalie for the Buffalo Sabres but at the world championships he is behind Canadian starter Sean Burke and Roberto Luongo.
"The bottom line is that we have a guy that's playing in our third goaltender role that would be the No. 1 goaltender on most teams in this tournament," said Canadian head coach Andy Murray. "He's a tremendous young goalie and he's had a great attitude. He keeps everybody loose. I've never seen the guy when he isn't talking.
"He's a great guy who always has a smile on his face."
Burke will start Friday when Canada (3-0) plays upstart Denmark (TSN, 9 a.m. EDT) in the first of three qualifying-round games.
The Danes (1-2-0) won the right to play in the A pool after beating host Hungary 6-2 in the final of B world championships last year. Most of their players are Danish League pros although six come from the Swedish Elite League.
Murray warned his players not to take Denmark lightly, especially after the Danes beat the U.S. 5-2 last weekend.
"Our players have a lot of respect for Denmark," said Murray. "Right now the U.S. is playing in Tampere (in the relegation round) maybe because they didn't have enough respect for Denmark."
Biron will be cheering his teammates from the stands, where he will help keep stats.
The native of Lac St. Charles, Que., says he's had the world championship in mind for quite a while.
"Last year (former Canada GM) Lanny McDonald called me and asked me if I wanted to be part of it. But it was just bad timing for me personally. I was getting married and there were a lot of things happening," Biron said after practice.
"But I really wanted to be part of this experience so when the chance came again this year I really wanted to do it. I was part of the world juniors in 1997 -- we won the gold and it was a great experience."
He says the world juniors gave him a real boost in his last year of junior and hopes this year's championship will give him a edge heading into next season.
"Something else that weighed in when I got the call was that Sean Burke was here," Biron said. "I always followed his career. He's an unbelievable goaltender. With him winning the worlds in '97, I know he has that experience. I thought I could come in and get a few pointers here and there
http://www.slam.ca/Slam030501/hky_can-cp.html
Great article...
The most impressive part of the article is where he says.. that he's glad Sean Burke is there and that he wants to get a few pointers here and there.. that's awesome.. he's always looking for improvement..
GO MARTY!!! :p: