Devils Honor Martin Brodeur After Hockey Hall of Fame Induction

NEWARK, NJ – Two and a half years ago when the New Jersey Devils retired his iconic number 30 jersey, Martin Brodeur joked that he wasn’t sure what it would take to receive the same standing ovation at the Prudential Center. Apparently an induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame would evoke the same reaction from the fans who loudly chanted ‘Marty’ before he performed the ceremonial puck drop before the Devils 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday evening.

Brodeur, 46, enjoyed the fanfare of Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in Toronto that included an appearance in the Hall of Fame Legends Classic at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday afternoon. He played alongside former Devils teammates and defenders Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermeyer and Ken Danyeko as well as his 23-year-old son, Anthony.

“This is the biggest honor you can have,” the first ballot inductee said during his emotional Hall of Fame induction speech. “It’s something when you grow up, you don’t expect to be in the Hall of Fame.”

The native of Canada played over two decades in the NHL including 21 seasons with the Devils where he anchored all three of the franchise’s Stanley Cup Championships, five Eastern Conference titles and 17 total playoff appearances.

“You expect maybe to play in the NHL. You expect maybe to win the Stanley Cup, but this is really out of your hands,” Brodeur suggested. “To be part of it is pretty amazing.”

Brodeur’s reputation as one of the best goalies in NHL history is justified as his name sits atop the league’s record books in a number of categories including regular-season wins (691), single-season wins (48, '06-'07), overtime wins (69), games played (1,266), games played with a single team (1,260), regular season shutouts (125), playoff shutouts (24), minutes played (74,083), 40-win seasons (8), 30-win seasons (13), shutouts in a playoff campaign (7, '03) and shutouts in a Stanley Cup final (tie: 3, '03). He is the youngest goalie to reach 300, 400 and 500 career wins and is the only goalie to reach 600 career wins.

“This is a moment I'll never forget. I'm honored and humbled by it."

In August 2018, Brodeur re-joined the Devils organization as executive vice president of business development after serving as assistant general manager for the St. Louis Blues, whom he concluded his playing career with. Reporting to Hugh Weber, president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, Brodeur is engaged in all business-side front office departments to identify, capitalize and develop on business opportunities for the Devils, Prudential Center and the outlying community.

“Marty is one of the greatest players to ever take the ice and it’s only fitting that his legendary career is capped off with an induction into the Hockey Fall of Fame,” Managing Partner Josh Harris said. “Through his three Stanley Cups and numerous individual accolades, Marty helped establish the Devils as a premier organization in the NHL. His legendary feats on the ice could only be matched by his incredible commitment to the community and his desire to help grow the game all over the world. We’re excited for Marty and his family, and tonight, our world-class fans can share in the celebration of his Hall of Fame honors.”

Managing Partner David Blitzer added that it was an “incredible and well-deserved honor for Marty.”

“For a player who made so many incredible memories for all of us as Devils fans, it’s only fitting that the past few days we pay tribute to him,” Blitzer explained. “Tonight’s celebration at Prudential Center will allow the fans to salute Marty for what he has done not only in New Jersey, but for the game of hockey.”

Brodeur’s hockey legacy is forever cemented in Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame, but his legend continues to live in New Jersey as fans continue to embrace the sport’s winningest goaltender. The exciting part is that his final chapter still has yet to be written in the Garden State as Brodeur continues to contribute to the organization.

* Lead photo courtesy of @NJDevils Instagram account used with the permission of the New Jersey Devils organization.