After 21 years with the New Jersey Devils, it’s more than a little jarring to see Martin Brodeur walk onto the ice in St. Louis Blues colours.
That was the scene that unfolded Friday as the 42-year-old goaltender, who is trying out for the Blues, participated in his first skate with the club Friday:
“St. Louis was one of the teams that was most interesting to me,” Brodeur, donning a Blues sweatshirt and Blues cap, told reporters afterward. “I’m looking forward to this challenge.”
The unrestricted free agent will continue to practice with St. Louis for the next week or so before general manager Doug Armstrong decides whether or not to sign him.
The Blues lost No. 1 goaltender Brian Elliott to a lower-body injury on Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators. Elliott is listed as week-to-week.
In the interim, 24-year-old Jake Allen has moved into the starting role.
Armstrong told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Brodeur looked strong in practice.
“Marty is a competitor and he wants to play. His resume speaks for itself,” Armstrong said. “Father Time will catch up to everybody at some point. Marty doesn’t believe it’s caught up to him yet.”
Coach Ken Hitchcock sounded optimistic about what Brodeur might be able to contribute.
“On his worst day,” Hitchcock said, “he’s awful good.”
(video via Jeremy Rutherford)