Martin Brodeur Resumes NHL Career With Blues

Martin Brodeur, the winningest goalie in N.H.L. history, is back in uniform - and for the first time in his long, illustrious career, it is not a Devils uniform.

The St. Louis Blues announced Tuesday that they have signed Brodeur, 42, to a one-year contract. He will be on the bench when the Blues travel to Chicago to face the Blackhawks on Wednesday. He is expected to be in the net either against the Predators in Nashville on Thusday or in another road game against the Islanders on Saturday..

'Hockey's fun,' Brodeur said in an interview on stlouisblues.com. 'I just couldn't see myself stopping right now.'

Brodeur became a free agent last July, after playing 22 seasons with the Devils. During that time he won three Stanley Cups and four Vezina Trophies, while setting N.H.L. career records for victories (688) and shutouts (124).

But his performance diminished in recent years, and when it became clear his tenure with the Devils was coming to an end, he repeatedly said he would like to latch on with another team.

No team signed him during the offseason or after the season began. He practiced with his son's junior team in Gatineau, Quebec, and waited patiently for an opportunity.

His chance came last week, when Blues goalie Brian Elliott went down with a knee injury. St. Louis General Manager Doug Armstrong and Coach Ken Hitchcock, both longtime admirers of Brodeur, wanted an experienced backup for Jake Allen and granted Brodeur a tryout.

'Marty still has the desire to compete and his resume speaks for itself,' Armstrong told the Blues' website. 'It seemed like an easy solution.'

Brodeur will wear his old number, 30, with the Blues.

'It's definitely going to be different,' Brodeur said. 'I've turned the page, and this is a new beginning. Hope it turns into something great.'

Brodeur is joining one of the top teams in the Western Conference. The Blues are 16-6-2 and tied for first in the Central Division. In addition to having shot at a Stanley Cup, Broduer is eyeing another career milestone: 700 victories.

'Every time I jump in net I'll have a great chance to win,' he said. 'Hopefully, quickly it'll get close to 700. That's a nice, big round number.'

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