At the 3ice Summer Tournament, two goaltenders spotlight the potential future of the New Jersey Devils organization. Jeremy Brodur and Keith Kinkaid both took to the ice for a 3-on-3 tournament held in Florida, an annual NHL offseason event that offers former players a chance to compete in a fast-paced, friendly setting.
The tournament is advancing toward its final four teams: No. 4 Minnesota, No. 3 Tennessee, No. 2 NJ/NY, and No. 1 Buffalo. Leading the Buffalo squad is former Devil Keith Kinkaid. Kinkaid originally joined the Devils as an undrafted free agent in the 2012-13 season and spent six years with the team, appearing in 41 games during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. Across a 10-year NHL career, mostly with American Hockey League affiliates, Kinkaid is now aiming for an NHL comeback. His strong play at the tournament may draw attention from NHL teams, especially considering the current demand for goaltenders.
“Right now, I just want to keep playing,” Kinkaid told NHL.com. “We’ll see what happens. This is a great chance to prove I still have it. My body feels good… any opportunity works for me.”
Kinkaid isn’t the only player in the event with Devils ties. Jeremy Brodur, son of Devils legend Martin Brodeur—who is synonymous with New Jersey hockey and currently serves as the team’s executive vice president of hockey operations—also participated. Over the past decade, Jeremy has competed in the AHL, ECHL, and international leagues. Last season, he split playing time between the Devils’ AHL affiliate Utica Comets and ECHL affiliate Adirondack Thunder, posting a .905 save percentage in 29 games combined.
At 28, Brodur suited up for the Buffalo 3ice team and made a notable impression despite his team’s elimination. “When people hear my last name, I definitely catch a few extra looks,” Brodur shared with NHL.com. “But I’m focused on doing my job and getting better every day.”
Both goaltenders are vying to secure a spot on the Devils’ roster, though it seems unlikely that current starters Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen are guaranteed positions yet. The Devils’ presence at the tournament remains strong, with the NY/NJ 3ice team coached by former Devils broadcaster and three-time Stanley Cup winner Ken Daneyko. From coaching to goaltending, the organization is well represented at 3ice, with former players and hopeful prospects sharing the ice.
Fan Take: This tournament highlights the depth and resilience within the Devils’ organization, showing that even seasoned players are hungry to prove their worth. For hockey fans, it’s exciting to see such competitive spirit off the NHL ice, hinting at strong future talent and the ongoing passion that drives the sport forward.