Martin Brodeur eager to strap on pads again

NEWARK, N.J. -- Martin Brodeur said he is looking forward to strapping on the goalie pads again as a member of the St. Louis Blues against the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2017 Winter Classic Alumni Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on New Year's Eve.
"It kind of gives you that feeling to get back out there to live the dream again for a few hours with a lot of good buddies you've built close associations with over the years," Brodeur said.
Brodeur, 44, one of three goalies scheduled to play for the Blues, including Chris Mason and Mike Liut, hasn't been told which period he will play. Mason, 40, is the youngest of the three. Liut, who spent six seasons with St. Louis, will turn 61 on Jan. 7.

"It's kind of a mixed feeling for me because, while I am a Blues alumnus having played seven games, I just didn't want to take anyone's spot [who deserved it more]," Brodeur said. "I felt kind of guilty a little bit to be a part of it, but the Blues have been so good about it. They really want me to be a part of it. They said it will be good for our fans, and everybody is excited to have me there. So we'll go out there and have fun."
Goalie Curtis Joseph, who spent six seasons with the Blues, will be playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs alumni against the Detroit Red Wings in the 2017 Rogers NHL Centennial Classic Alumni Game at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto on Saturday.
Brodeur, who was hired by the Blues as assistant general manager on May 20, 2015, said it hasn't been easy preparing for this moment since receiving word of his inclusion.
"It took me five days to recover after one practice, so I might just wing it come Dec. 31, but we're excited," he said.
Brodeur last played in a game on March 7, 2015, during the New Jersey Devils' 1995 Stanley Cup championship alumni game at Prudential Center.
"There's a big buzz in St. Louis and all the alumni have been skating at a practice facility, getting there at 7 a.m. and scheduling ice time to work out; but I've only been there a few times," he said. "Knowing I'll get back on the ice, and get to feel that atmosphere, is great. I played in one outdoor game (with the New Jersey Devils against the New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 26, 2014), but I couldn't enjoy it as much because it was a real game. I'll have a different feeling for this one.
"My sons William and Anthony are coming for it and they'll be able to go out and skate with me during the family skate [on Sunday], so it'll be a nice experience."
Brodeur, who played 21 NHL seasons, is the regular-season leader in wins (691), shutouts (125), games (1,266) and minutes (74,439). In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he ranks first in starts (204) and shutouts (24), and is second in wins (113; Patrick Roy, 151). He won the Stanley Cup three times (1995, 2000, 2003) in 20 full seasons with the Devils.
Brodeur had his No. 30 retired by the Devils on Feb. 9. He is the only player to have a statue in his honor outside Prudential Center. The 11-foot tall artwork was dedicated and unveiled on Oct. 22.