The Big Bad Bryz

The Flyers dedicated their offseason to goaltending and in doing so acquired Ilya Bryzgalov, an elite goalie from the Phoenix Coyotes. Here is a quick little bio on the new Flyers starting goalie.

Bryzgalov burst onto the NHL scene in 2005 with the Mighty Ducks after years in the minors. Ilya appeared in 31 games in 2005 boasting a record of 13-12 and a GAA of 2.55. In 2006-07 Bryzgalov followed with an even better 10-8 record and a 2.44 GAA in 27 games. But during his time in Anaheim, Bryzgalov was a backup to Jean-Sébastien Giguère. When Giguere signed a 4 year extension with Anaheim in 2007, the Ducks attempted to trade the Bryz but eventually just placed him on waivers.

The Phoenix Coyotes swept him up early in 2007-08 and Bryzgalov went on to have 4 very successful seasons where he averaged 33 wins per season. Bryzgalov helped the Coyotes earn the 4th seed in 2009-10 season. His 42 wins were enough to get him voted to the All-Star game. Last season the Coyotes made the playoffs again this time as the 6th seed where they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings. Overall in his 4 years in Phoenix, the Bryz recorded 25 or more wins and had a GAA under 3.

Bryzgalov was an outstanding goalie on a mediocre team and I can’t wait to see how he fares on an elite team like the Flyers. Playing behind veteran defenders Kimo Timmonen, Chris Pronger, and Braydon Coburn should help the already talented net minder.

Bryzgalov is clearly embracing his new job as Flyers starting goalie. "I want to be the guy who can carry this team,” said Bryzgalov. “I want to help this team win the Stanley Cup because people in Philadelphia and the organization have waited long enough.”

He knows what’s at stake and he knows what the fans of Philadelphia want. They want a guy who can carry them back to the promised land and finally bring this city a long awaited Stanley Cup title.