Martin Brodeur’s career is in its twilight, but that doesn’t mean there will never be a Brodeur in a Devils uniform again.
With the NHL Draft winding down yesterday, the Devils traded for the 208th pick from the Kings in exchange for a seventh round pick in 2015. When Brodeur surprised the crowd and took the stage to announce the pick, he announced the Devils had drafted his son, Anthony.
“A great moment,” the elder Brodeur said. “I think Anthony has worked so hard for the last four years. To be able to get drafted in New Jersey for New Jersey, you couldn’t ask for a better team.”
The younger Brodeur, a 5-foot-11, 177-pound goaltender from Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep in Minnesota, will be playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season. He is still a ways away from the NHL, but last night was one he won’t ever forget.
“Speechless,” Anthony, 18, said. “Being in New Jersey around all my family and friends and having [his father] surprise me and say my name in front of everybody was pretty cool.”
“It’s surreal. Growing up watching the Devils, cheering on the Devils, cheering on my dad. Being in this jersey right now and being in this arena and everything, it’s awesome.”
Anthony knows he will always be compared to his father, one of the greatest goalies of all time who owns the most wins and shutouts in NHL history.
“I’m trying to create my own way. I’m not trying to be Martin Brodeur’s son,” he said. “There’s pressure, obviously, but I am trying to do my own thing. ”