Former Devils great Brodeur retires
ST. LOUIS - Martin Brodeur, one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, is retiring. The 10-time all-star and four-time Vezina Cup Trophy winner finished his career with St. Louis after a standout career with New Jersey, and will join the Blues in a management role in hockey operations. A news conference was set for Thursday morning before the Blues return from the all-star break to play Nashville.
ST. LOUIS - Martin Brodeur, one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, is retiring.
The 10-time all-star and four-time Vezina Cup Trophy winner finished his career with St. Louis after a standout career with New Jersey, and will join the Blues in a management role in hockey operations. A news conference was set for Thursday morning before the Blues return from the all-star break to play Nashville.
"It's kind of sad to see a guy like him hang 'em up," said Brian Elliott, the Blues' all-star goalie. "I'm sure it's a tough decision, but I was grateful to be on the same team with him if only for a little bit."
The 42-year-old Brodeur wrapped up his 22-year career with St. Louis after signing as a free agent Dec. 2. He was 3-3 with a 2.87 goals-against average and in his final victory became the fifth-oldest goalie to post a shutout in a 3-0 win over Colorado on Dec. 29.
He last played Jan. 2 in a loss at Anaheim and he hadn't returned to the team since being granted a one-week leave on Jan. 14.
Brodeur had dropped to third on the depth chart after Elliott returned from a knee injury, with Jake Allen, 24, sharing the position.
On the Devils website, general manager Lou Lamoriello said that he anticipated Brodeur's job to be for the rest of the season and that the goalie would be welcome to rejoin New Jersey in a front office role after that.
Brodeur played his first 21 seasons with the Devils. The Montreal native was 691-397-176 with a 2.24 goals-against average, .912 save percentage, and 125 shutouts in 1,266 career appearances. He holds regular-season NHL records for wins, games, and minutes.
Brodeur also holds postseason records for starts (204) and shutouts (24), and is second in wins (113). He won three Stanley Cups with the Devils and was a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada, in 2002 and 2010.