Goaltender Ed Belfour rejoins Stars after arrest

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A week after being arrested in the assault of a hotel security guard, an apologetic Ed Belfour rejoined the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, promising to do his best to lead the team to a second straight Stanley Cup.

Belfour worked out with his teammates for about 30 minutes during a pre-game skate for Wednesday night's game at the Continental Airlines Arena against the New Jersey Devils. Belfour, whose performance in the playoffs helped the Stars win the Cup, stayed on the ice about an extra 25 minutes working with the coaching staff.

Manny Fernandez, who had started the four games since Belfour's arrest last Wednesday, was scheduled to start against the Devils with Belfour being his backup.

Belfour hopes to start Saturday at Chicago. He refused to discuss his arrest on the advice of his attorney.

"I'm just happy to be back now," said Belfour, who has a 28-18-5 record with a 2.08 goals against average and a .919 save percentage, all among the NHL's best this season.

"I am motivated to be back and I am looking forward to contributing down the stretch to the success of the Dallas Stars, and I am looking forward to another Stanley Cup run."

Belfour was charged with aggravated assault on the guard and resisting arrest. He spent six hours in police custody and had not been with the team since, though he was not suspended by the NHL or the Stars.

Witnesses said Belfour appeared intoxicated when he arrived at the hotel with an unidentified woman. She later told security she was afraid of him and wanted to leave, police said. Hotel officials accompanied her to a cab and she left.

Belfour also tried to leave his hotel room. When a guard tried to subdue him, Belfour slammed the man against a wall and put him in a headlock, letting go only after police sprayed him with Mace, authorities said.

After being released, Belfour met for two days with an independent team of mental health and substance abuse counselors provided by the league and the NHL Players' Association.

Belfour skated in Dallas the previous two days with injured teammates. He arrived in New Jersey on Tuesday night and apologized to his teammates.

"They've been 100 percent supportive from the start," Belfour said. "Guys called me every day and asked me how I was doing. That kind of support means a lot."

Brett Hull did not think an apology was necessary.

"We've all made mistakes," Hull said. "If we all had to apologize every time we made a mistake there wouldn't be time for anything else."

Belfour said he felt rusty but anxious to play again.

"I am more motivated than ever to get back in there and prove that I am one of the best in the league, and that anything that has happened is not going to effect me," he said.