Famed sports photographer Denis Brodeur, father of star hockey goalie, dies

MONTREAL - Denis Brodeur, the father of star goalie Martin Brodeur who enjoyed a lengthy career as one of Canada's most successful sports photographers, has died at age 82.

He shot the Montreal Canadiens for several decades, first as a newspaper man and then as the team's official photographer.

Brodeur was one of two photographers to capture the iconic image of Paul Henderson celebrating the winning goal of the 1972 Canada-Soviet summit series.

In 2006, he sold his archive of 110,000 photos to the National Hockey League for US$350,000.

The elder Brodeur's career extended beyond hockey. He was also the official photographer for the Montreal Expos and shot numerous local sporting events and pro wrestling.

Before his media career, he was also a goalie who won an Olympic medal, like his son. Brodeur backstopped the Canadian team that won the bronze at the 1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo games.

News of his death was confirmed this afternoon by his son's team, the New Jersey Devils.