Podcast: Martin Brodeur on Devils number retirement, new statue, St. Louis Blues

NEWARK, NJ – Martin Brodeur stepped before the New Jersey Devils season-ticket holders seated inside Prudential Center on Tuesday. They serenaded him with a familiar chant.

“MARTY!” (clap, clap) “MARTY!” (clap, clap) “MARTY!”

He smiled. “I haven’t heard that in a while. It’s nice.”

Brodeur was back in New Jersey as the team announced his number retirement ceremony on Feb. 9, 2016, in a home game against the Edmonton Oilers. The No. 30 will be the fourth number that hangs from the rafters in Newark, along with Scott Stevens (4), Ken Daneyko (3) and Scott Niedermayer (27).

In addition, Brodeur will be immortalized with a statue outside the arena, like so many legends are in Montreal where Brodeur attended Canadiens game as a child.

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“I grew up in Montreal, where a lot of guys get their jersey retired,” he said.

For Brodeur and the Devils, it’s been an interesting journey. He wasn’t re-signed after the 2013-14 season, and played his final NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, the team with whom he retired. Brodeur is now an assistant general manager with St. Louis.

“He is unfortunately employed by another NHL team, but he’s always going to be a Devil at heart,” said Devils owner Josh Harris.

Brodeur said he’s had time to reflect on the split. “My last season in New Jersey, I didn’t play as much as I wanted to. And for good reason. Look at the guy they have between the pipes now,” he said, pointing to current Devils goalie Cory Schneider.

He’s not sure how many old teammates will attend the ceremony, or if current Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello will come back to New Jersey for the night. He said the main thing is having his family there for the event – including his late father, there in spirit.

“He’s got the best seat in the house for it,” said Brodeur.

We spoke with Brodeur for a short podcast that you can listen to above.

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