Martin Pierre Brodeur (born 6.5.1972) is a former Canadian-American ice hockey goaltender. He played 22 seasons in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues. Martin Brodeur is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion and he is widely named as one of the greatest goaltenders of all time.

Early Career

As a junior, Brodeur started playing hockey as a forward. The next season his coach asked Brodeur which position he wants to play and Brodeur choose goal – there was no turning back after that. In the 1989-90 season, Brodeur started to play with Saint-Hyacinthe Laser in QMJHL. New Jersey Devils drafted Martin Brodeur in the first round (20th overall) in the 1990 NHL Draft.

New Jersey Devils

In the 1991-92 season Brodeur played mainly with Saint-Hyacinthe Laser, but he was called up to NHL for four games. In the 1992-93 season Brodeur played with Utica Devils in AHL. In 1993-94 season Brodeur returned to NHL permanently – he won Calder Trophy as a Rookie of the Year and led the Devils to the Eastern Conference Finals (lost to the New York Rangers in seven games).

In the 1994-95 season Brodeur led the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals against big favorite – Detroit Red Wings. The Devils won Stanley Cup and they Swept the Red Wings 4-0 – Detroit made only seven goals in four games behind Brodeur. The Devils continued to be solid playoff-team and next time they were in the Stanley Cup finals in the 1999-2000 season. Brodeur and the Devils won Stanley Cup after beating Dallas Stars 4-2. In the 2000-01 New Jersey Devils were again in the Stanley Cup Finals, but this time Colorado Avalanche was better 4-3.

In the 2002-03 season Martin Brodeur won the Vezina Trophy first time of his career. He led the Devils to another Stanley Cup – they beat Mighty Ducks of Anaheim after game seven. New Jersey Devils and Martin Brodeur stayed as solid playoff-team, but next time they went to the Stanley Cup finals was 2011-12 season. This time Los Angeles Kings won in six games. Martin Brodeur played 21 seasons and 1259 games with New Jersey Devils

St. Louis Blues and retirement

On 26.11.2014 Brodeur signed a tryout contract with St.Louis Blues after their starting goalie Brian Elliott was injured. A week later he signed one-year deal with the Blues. On 27.1.2015 Brodeur reported to retire from the NHL – that’s because Brian Elliott returned to the Blues and Brodeur dropped to the number-three goalie.

Other interesting stuff

Martin Brodeur won four Vezina Trophies for the best goalie of NHL (2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008) and three Hart Memorial Trophies (2003, 2004 and 2007) for a NHL’s most valuable player. Martin Brodeur has been chosen to the NHL First All-Star Team three times (2003, 2004 and 2007). Martin Brodeur has many NHL-records – 691 wins (140 more than Patrick Roy), 125 shutouts (22 more than Terry Sawchuk) and 1266 regular season games (more than 200 above any other goalie).