The illustrious, 22-year NHL career of goaltender Martin Brodeur has finally come to a close.
Brodeur, clad in a dark suit and tie, announced his official retirement from the NHL today at a press conference at Scottrade Arena in St. Louis.
He also announced that he would be assuming a senior advisor role to Blues general manager, Doug Armstrong, per USA TODAY Sports.
"I'm excited to start a new chapter in my hockey career," the grizzled NHL veteran said during the news conference. "This is something I've been thinking about for a long time."
The 42-year-old Brodeur, who spent 21 seasons with the New Jersey Devils and six weeks with the St. Louis Blues, retires as the winningest goalie in NHL history. He holds the record for victories (691) and shutouts (195).
"I'm leaving the game with a big smile on my face, and I don't think if I had done that (retired) last year, that would have been the case," he said.
While only three of those wins and one of those shutouts came with the Blues franchise, he has chosen to join the St. Louis front office, instead of New Jersey's as many suspected he would.
The plan is for Brodeur to travel with the team and learn what management takes at the NHL level. He will be with the Blues through the end of the season, at the very least.
"There's no commitment, one way or the other, that I'll go back to New Jersey or stay in St. Louis," he said. "I just want to make sure I enjoy what I do and I'll make a decision when it's time."
He cautioned that his decision to join Armstrong and the Blues brass this season has no bearing on his relationship with Devils GM Lou Lamoriello.
"For anyone who thinks that me and Lou are not on the same page, everybody's wrong," Brodeur said. "We stayed in contact before I signed with St. Louis, during when I was playing and while I was hanging out in Florida (making his decision).
"He agreed with me that his was probably the best opportunity and this was something he was not able to give me at this time, and I'm really excited to be here."
While Brodeur said he was happy with his mark of 691 wins, he admitted that, of course, he wished he had more.
"691 is not too bad," he joked. "It would have been nice to be at 700, but it is what it is. I wish I could have played more games. All these lockouts, I got killed on it."
