Ilya Bryzgalov has not played professional hockey since a brief mid-season stint with the Anaheim Ducks in 2014-15, but the one-time Vezina Trophy finalist is looking to land one more opportunity to play in the National Hockey League.
“I feel the passion inside and the fire in my eyes. I want to face new challenges and I want the chance to play in the best league,” said Bryzgalov in an NHLPA feature.
Bryzgalov appeared in 465 games with the Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Minnesota Wild over the course of 12 seasons in the NHL.
The 35-year-old rediscovered his passion to play the game following a year away from the NHL.
“I watched a lot of hockey, but when it came to the playoffs, that’s when it really hit me. I realized I really needed to feel that excitement again, the rush of playing, the challenge of trying to stop the most talented players in the world,” said Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov finished second in Vezina voting behind Ryan Miller in 2010 following an outstanding season with the Coyotes. The native of Togliatti, Russia finished the campaign with a 42-20-6 record, 2.29 goals-against average, and a .920 save percentage in 69 games.
The netminder gained a lot of attention later in his career for his often hilarious and bizarre interviews and affable personality.
His status among the league’s best goaltenders began to slip after signing a massive nine-year, $51-million contract with the Flyers in 2011. The Flyers opted to exercise a compliance buyout on Bryzgalov in the summer of 2013. After a stint with the Oilers, Bryzgalov helped the Wild down the stretch in 2013-14 before appearing in nine playoff games with the club.
Bryzgalov’s agent Ritch Winter believes his client can get back to work in the NHL.
“Having worked with Dominik Hasek on his return after a year off and knowing the training Ilya has in place for the summer, there is no doubt in my mind he will perform at the level he did leading the Wild to the playoffs two years ago,” Winter said. “With Ilya prepared to play for a modest salary and take most of his compensation in bonuses, this will be a unique opportunity for a team looking for an experienced goaltender to challenge for a starting job.”
Bryzgalov holds a 221-162-54 record to go along with a 2.58 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage for his career.
Read The Fire Burns in Bryz in its entirety here.
