Get Back: Terreri's A Devil Again

The New Jersey Devils finally found the backup goaltender for Martin Brodeur Tuesday, acquiring Chris Terreri from the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional draft pick.

The 33-year-old Terreri began his career with the Devils, coming up through their farm system and making his first NHL appearance in the 1986-87 season. After spending more than eight years in New Jersey, he was traded to San Jose in November 1995.

New Jersey had been looking for a backup goaltender to Brodeur throughout the summer to replace Mike Dunham, who was taken as the first overall pick in the expansion draft by the Nashville Predators. Dunham was 5-5-3 with a 2.25 goals-against average in 15 games last year for New Jersey.

Terreri became expendable when the Blackhawks acquired goalie Mark Fitzpatrick in the off-season. Terreri is eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 1998-99 season.

"Chris did an excellent job for us as our backup goaltender last season," said Blackhawks general manager Bob Murray. "Unfortunately, he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the next season. Chris expressed an interest in going back to New Jersey. He has business interests in that area and we're happy to help out Chris in that way."

Chicago acquired Terreri on Jan. 25, 1997 as part of a four-player deal that sent Ed Belfour to San Jose. Terreri had an 8-10-2 record with two shutouts and a 2.41 GAA. He was immediately pressed into duty when starting netminder Jeff Hackett went down with an injury in the second game.

But Terreri suffered a broken finger on Nov. 11 and missed 20 games. During rehab, he strained an abdominal muscle that forced him to miss another 26 contests.

Terreri, a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic team, has a lifetime record of 137-151-40 with eight shutouts and a 3.09 GAA. In 29 playoff games, he is 12-12 with a 3.39 GAA.

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