Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - The New Jersey Devils activated goaltender Martin Brodeur off injured reserve Wednesday, clearing the way for the All- Star to play his first hockey in almost four months.
The 16-year veteran has been out since early November after he had surgery to repair a torn distal biceps in his left elbow. Brodeur could return to the ice as soon as Thursday, when the Devils host Colorado.
The four-time Vezina Trophy winner returns on the brink of breaking a couple of league records for goaltenders. He is just seven wins away from tying Patrick Roy for most wins (551) and is five shutouts shy of Terry Sawchuk's 103 career whitewashes.
In Brodeur's absence, Scott Clemmensen, who the team assigned to Lowell of the American Hockey League to make room for Brodeur, took over most of the goaltending duties for the Devils and posted a mark of 25-13-1 with a 2.39 goals-against average and two shutouts in 40 appearances.
Along with Kevin Weekes, Clemmensen has helped the Devils to a mark of 38-19-3 on the season, which is good for first place in the Atlantic Division and third overall in the Eastern Conference.
Weekes has posted a record of 7-4-0 with a 2.32 GAA in backing up Clemmensen.
Also on Wednesday, the team assigned defenseman Anssi Salmela to Lowell.
