Brodeur won't play for ice hockey Team Canada
HALIFAX, Canada (AFP) — Team Canada suffered a blow Tuesday when three-time Stanley Cup winning goalie Martin Brodeur decided not to play in the 2008 World Championships which are being held on his home soil.
The New Jersey Devils netminder declined an invite claiming fatigue from the National Hockey League playoffs and regular season.
The Devils were eliminated four games to one in their opening round NHL series by the New York Rangers.
Brodeur was the best player for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy. Canada struggled to score and was eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Canada was hoping to build their team around Brodeur for next month's Worlds which are being held in Quebec and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
"I just didn't feel like going," Brodeur said. "There are two young goalies (Cam Ward and Pascal LeClair) who made a commitment to play for Canada.
"It was a chaotic year of travel for us, the last two weeks of the season being on the road. Two weeks in the playoffs being away. It wasn't what I wanted to do.
"Definitely the fact that it's in Quebec, I thought about it more than I (expected). Pat Burns is there (as an assistant coach).
"I'd love to spend some time with him. My decision would've been easier if it was in Europe. It would've been 'no' right away."
Brodeur, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the best goaltender in the NHL, is once again among the finalists for the award.
Brodeur posted a 2.17 goals-against average and won 44 games this season. His .920 save percentage ranked fourth among goaltenders.
