Brodeur to undergo surgery on left bicep
Tuesday, 11.04.2008 / 12:20 PM
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New Jersey Devils
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newjerseydevils.com – Goaltender Martin Brodeur will undergo surgery to repair the distal bicep in his left elbow, Devils' President/CEO/General Manager Lou Lamoriello today announced.
The procedure is set to take place on Thursday. Brodeur said Tuesday via conference call that he remains positive despite the possibility that he could be sidelined for the next three to four months.
"It's an unfortunate situation for me and for the team, but it is what it is. I can't do much about it," Brodeur said. "My spirits are pretty good, might as well stay positive. There's no reason for me to be negative. It's not something that's going to affect my career at all. My mobility's not going to be a factor with this injury, it's just a question of getting my bicep back into playing shape. Whenever that happens, we'll be back playing hockey."
The four-time Vezina Trophy winner said that rehab could begin as early as eight weeks after surgery. He sustained the injury in the second period of Saturday's win over Atlanta.
Kevin Weekes will handle the Devils' starting duties in Brodeur's absence. The 33-year-old netminder made 28 saves in Monday's 2-0 loss to Buffalo.
Brodeur believes his back-up has the tools to get the job done.
"Kevin's been such a great sport for the last season and a half that I've been playing with him," Brodeur said. "[He hasn't had much] action but stayed involved with the team, practicing and staying an upbeat guy for the hockey club at all times. I think it's a great opportunity for him to go out and prove that he's able to be a top goalie. He's going to play with a great team as I have for a number of years and hopefully he'll do well for us and hold down the fort until I come back."
Brodeur, who had made 51 straight regular season starts for New Jersey, needs seven wins to tie Patrick Roy's all-time record of 551. He noted, however, that for now all of his energy is focused on returning to the New Jersey line-up as soon as possible.
"Hopefully I'll come back healthy and with enough games to be able to reach [Roy's record] this season. Right now that's way outside my thought process. I'm excited to be so close, and I know it's a hard thing to do and this just proves it. You have to be healthy to do it. Definitely something I didn't see coming, but it is what it is and you have to deal with it."
The procedure is set to take place on Thursday. Brodeur said Tuesday via conference call that he remains positive despite the possibility that he could be sidelined for the next three to four months.
"It's an unfortunate situation for me and for the team, but it is what it is. I can't do much about it," Brodeur said. "My spirits are pretty good, might as well stay positive. There's no reason for me to be negative. It's not something that's going to affect my career at all. My mobility's not going to be a factor with this injury, it's just a question of getting my bicep back into playing shape. Whenever that happens, we'll be back playing hockey."
The four-time Vezina Trophy winner said that rehab could begin as early as eight weeks after surgery. He sustained the injury in the second period of Saturday's win over Atlanta.
Kevin Weekes will handle the Devils' starting duties in Brodeur's absence. The 33-year-old netminder made 28 saves in Monday's 2-0 loss to Buffalo.
Brodeur believes his back-up has the tools to get the job done.
"Kevin's been such a great sport for the last season and a half that I've been playing with him," Brodeur said. "[He hasn't had much] action but stayed involved with the team, practicing and staying an upbeat guy for the hockey club at all times. I think it's a great opportunity for him to go out and prove that he's able to be a top goalie. He's going to play with a great team as I have for a number of years and hopefully he'll do well for us and hold down the fort until I come back."
Brodeur, who had made 51 straight regular season starts for New Jersey, needs seven wins to tie Patrick Roy's all-time record of 551. He noted, however, that for now all of his energy is focused on returning to the New Jersey line-up as soon as possible.
"Hopefully I'll come back healthy and with enough games to be able to reach [Roy's record] this season. Right now that's way outside my thought process. I'm excited to be so close, and I know it's a hard thing to do and this just proves it. You have to be healthy to do it. Definitely something I didn't see coming, but it is what it is and you have to deal with it."
