While it's nice to get a good write up in a magazine (like ESPN The Magazine, for example) or have some TV type sing your praises on SportsCenter, any true athlete knows the best compliments come from peers. When they can impress a colleague, it means something. Something special.

Kings RW Adam Deadmarsh received a pretty impressive compliment on the other day, on the heels of his series-clinching overtime goal against the suddenly Dead Wings. It came from the captain of the Stanley Cup champion Devils, Scott Stevens.

A 19-year pro with a pair of Stanley Cups on his mantel, Stevens was addressing a wide variety of topics after Devs practice on Wednesday. When the Kings' stunning first round win over the Red Wings came up, Stevens was quick to mention Deadmarsh.

"He's a good player and one tough kid," said Stevens, who knows a little bit about toughness. "The way he came back from that Jovanovski thing this year, a lot of guys aren't the same after something like that. He got right back at it."

The "Jovanovski" thing happened to Deadmarsh on Nov. 1. Playing with Colorado, Deadmarsh got into a fight with tough Canucks D Ed Jovanovski, who has three inches and 20 pounds on the gritty winger. In the midst of the battle, Jovanovski KO'd Deadmarsh with one lethal punch. Deadmarsh crumbled to the ice in frightening fashion and had to helped to the Avs' dressing room. Jovanovski's powerful punch literally knocked Deadmarsh into next month. He missed five weeks and 14 games before returning to the Avs' lineup on Dec. 8.

Two weeks later, on Dec. 23, the Avs and Canucks met again. Less than 13 minutes into the game, Deadmarsh challenged Jovanovski. This time, the two men fought to a draw. Afterward, Deadmarsh had nothing to say about the rematch. For him, there was no need for talk. Just action. Like the cowboy getting back on the wild horse after a nasty fall, it was something that had to be done. And better sooner than later.

Knowing the courage it takes to challenge a player as tough as Jovanovski, Stevens was impressed by Deadmarsh's willingness to take this particular bull by the horns. Players notice these kinds of things. Especially players who know what it takes to win a Stanley Cup.

E.J. Hradek covers hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.