EINSTEIN, BILL GATES AND TURCO?

The Pooba of Puck Pundits, Don Cherry, proclaimed Stars goalie Marty Turco "The smartest goalie in the NHL" during last night's Coaches Corner on HNIC.

High praise for the Twinkle's high-forehead netminder.

Of course this is no revelation to those of us who've watched him destroy opponent's dump and chase game like Federer pimp-slapping a club pro during a "clinic".

Yes Marty is mensa level when it comes to reading the game and reacting to it with lightning precision, but he's also many other things.

Brave

Brash

Athletic

Arrogant (the good kind)

Caring

Charitable

Fun loving

Competitive

Visionary

Tireless

Driven

Of course that closely shorn mellon of his can also get him in trouble from time to time, both on the ice and apparently just prior to taking the ice for playoff games. (That last part is better left to the imagination blogees, sorry)

And to think, Turco has a kids book series in the works called "Smarty Marty"- How apropos.

Is it a goalie thing you ask?

Naaaa, the only time my name and "smart" were used together during my days in the pipes was when an overweight coach in Kamloops repeatedly reminded me "Daryl, the only person who likes a smart-ass is a donkey trainer."