The goalie, who will turn 33 on Aug. 7, was an unrestricted free agent. He was 9-11-1 with a 2.99 GAA and .914 save percentage in 24 games (23 starts) for the Detroit Red Wings last season.
"Bringing in Jonathan provides us with a solid and experienced veteran presence in net," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "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 (goalie) Mackenzie [Blackwood] moving forward. He's going to be a great influence on our young team and is excited to join the group."
Bernier said he received a phone call from Martin Brodeur, now an executive vice president with the Devils, which helped him make the decision to sign with New Jersey.
"He called me this morning and talked to me about short term and long term how they see the team," Bernier said. "And talked to me about the city and the organization and ... obviously, as you get older you have kids and a wife and you know you want to make the right decision for them, and it just seemed to be a great fit for us."
Bernier said he felt his experience could help the Devils, regardless if he is the primary starter or the backup to Blackwood.
"I think for me, that's the role that I kind of want to have, and pushing any goalies in front of me," Bernier said. "I think that's been my thing in the past few years. I just want to push Blackwood; I know he's a very talented goalie and I'm sure we'll have a great duel together."
The Carolina Hurricanes acquired Bernier in a trade with the Red Wings for goalie Alex Nedeljkovic on July 22. Carolina also received a third-round pick (No. 94) in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Selected by the Los Angeles Kings with the No. 11 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, Bernier is 161-159-39 with a 2.77 GAA, .913 save percentage and 18 shutouts in 394 regular-season games (355 starts) with the Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche and Red Wings. He is 2-5 with a 3.35 GAA and .885 save percentage in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games (five starts).
NHL.com staff writer Mike G. Morreale contributed to this report
