The New Jersey Devils today signed unrestricted free-agent goaltender Jonathan Bernier to a two-year contract worth $8,250,000 with an average annual value of $4,125,000. The breakdown is as follows: 2021-22, $3,600,000 and 2022-23, $4,650,000. The announcement was made by New Jersey Devils Executive Vice President/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald.

"Bringing in Jonathan provides us with a solid and experienced veteran presence in net,” said Fitzgerald. “In consultation with our goaltending development department, we believe that this gives us the stability we have been looking for and can help support and push Mackenzie moving forward. He’s going to be a great influence on our young team and is excited to join the group.”

Bernier, 32, spent the past three seasons, 2018-19 to 2020-21, with Detroit playing in 105 contests. Last year, the 6’0, 185lbs. netminder posted a 9-11-1 record in 24 games played (23 starts), posting a 2.99 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. Bernier faced the most shots against per 60 of any NHL goaltender last season at 34.8. His rights were previously acquired by Carolina on July 22, 2021, from Detroit, with a third-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft (formerly Vegas’ selection, 94th overall- Aidan Hreschuk) for Alex Nedeljkovic.

In 394 career NHL regular-season games played, the former first-round selection owns a career 161-159-39 record, with 19 shutouts, a .913 save percentage and 2.77 GAA. He has also appeared in nine Stanley Cup Playoff contests. Prior to signing with Detroit in 2018, Bernier posted a 19-13-3 record with the Colorado Avalanche for the 2017-18 campaign and a 21-7-4 record with the Anaheim Ducks in 2016-17. He appeared in 151 regular-season contests for Toronto from 2013-14 to 2015-16, setting a career high with 26 wins in 2013-14. Drafted 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2006 NHL Draft, Bernier played parts of five seasons with Los Angeles from 2007-08 to 2012-13, winning a Stanley Cup in 2012.

Additionally, in 119 American Hockey League (AHL) contests with Manchester and Toronto, Bernier posted a 57-46-12 record with a 2.16 GAA and .927 save%. He played in the AHL All-Star Game and was awarded AHL Goaltender of the Year honors in 2009-10. Bernier also led the AHL that campaign with nine shutouts and recorded a league best .936 save percentage.

Born on August 7, 1988, the native of Laval, Quebec has represented his home country in international play at the 2006 IIHF U-18 World Junior Championship, U20 WJC in 2008 (Gold Medal) and 2011 World Championship. Prior to his professional experience, the veteran netminder spent four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Lewiston, winning a President’s Cup in 2007.