T.J. Brodie was thrilled to be invited to join Team Canada for the upcoming World Championships by GM Steve Yzerman.
Brodie grew up a Red Wings fan and a Steve Yzerman fan to boot so the phone call meant a lot to the 21-year-old defenseman. "It's sort of weird watching him growing up and being so close to Detroit and stuff," Brodie said. "To talk to him on the phone is sort of a weird feeling, I guess. Watching your idol and getting to talk to him it's a cool experience." A fourth round pick in the 2008 Draft, Brodie had two goals and 14 points in 47 games while averaging over 20 minutes of action per game. He is worth a selection late in deep pools next season.

Coach Bob Hartley has been really impressed with the play of rookie defenseman T.J. Brodie.
Brodie had two assists on Saturday and was the first star of the game against the Flames hated rivals, the Edmonton Oilers. "He's just amazing," Hartley said. "He has so many skills. Like his skating is just sick." Brodie has only one goal and 11 points in 40 games this season but he has a spot on the top power play and has three assists in his last two games. He looks like a sleeper in next season's pools unless you live in Calgary or are a big Flames fan.

T.J. Brodie is enjoying the increased ice time with the Calgary Flames.
Brodie is averaging a career-high 19:24 minutes per contest, but he's also logged at least 22 minutes in each of his last five games. "It's nice," Brodie said. "The more you play, if you make a bad pass or something, it's a lot easier to forget about it if you go out the next shift. You don't have to sit on the bench and think about it, and then the next time you're out there, you're a little bit nervous, because you don't want to do it again. I think playing a little bit more, it's definitely a little easier." His role increased after the Flames traded Jay Bouwmeester. The Flames don't have much left to play for this season, but Brodie is a key part of their future so they might as well give him as much playing time as possible.

T.J. Brodie is continuing to see big minutes on the blueline for the Calgary Flames.
Brodie was on the ice for 24:14 Monday, third on the team behind Dennis Wideman and Mark Giordano. Brodie has a goal and eight points for the Flames with a minus-11 rating but the second year Flame has impressed the upper management with his steady play. We cannot recommend him in traditional pools but he is a better hockey player than fantasy player in the NHL.

T.J. Brodie was called up from the minors on Friday January 18.