Martin Brodeur’s career has at least one more stop before likely reaching the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The St. Louis Blues signed the 42-year-old goalie to a one-year contract Tuesday for depth after Brian Elliott went down with a lower body injury.
“It feels great,” Brodeur, who practiced with the Blues over the weekend, told the team’s website. “I really appreciate the opportunity for me to be here the last few days. It definitely worked out real well. I’m excited for this fresh start.”
Elliott is week to week, so Brodeur comes in as insurance for the Blues, who are tied with the Nashville Predators for first place in the Central Division. It’s unclear when Brodeur will hit the ice for game action, but Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock says he will use his new goalie.
“If he’s here, he’s going to play,” Hitchcock said Monday. “We’ll figure out what game it is and what games they are, but if he’s here, he’s going to play. He’s not going to back up.”
Brodeur is a four-time Vezina Trophy winner and the NHL’s all-time leader in wins and shutouts. He’s obviously a far cry from his prime, though.
Brodeur appeared in just 39 games last season, primarily serving as Cory Schneider’s backup in New Jersey, and went 19-14-6 with a .901 save percentage and 2.51 goals against average. Brodeur’s .901 save percentage in his final two seasons with the Devils was the lowest of his career.
Brodeur won’t have a chance to face his former team this season, unless it’s in the Stanley Cup Final. The Blues and Devils played each other in a home-and-home Nov. 4 and Nov. 6.
