Ilya Bryzgalov, a Russian goaltender, began his professional hockey career in the NHL after being drafted by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the second round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. His journey in the league started in the 2001-2002 season, but it wasn't until the 2005-2006 season that he became a more regular presence on the ice. During this season, Bryzgalov played a crucial role in the Ducks' playoff run, stepping in for the injured Jean-Sébastien Giguère. His performance was instrumental in helping the team reach the Western Conference Finals, and he set a rookie record with three consecutive shutouts in the playoffs.
Bryzgalov's tenure with the Ducks culminated in winning the Stanley Cup in 2007. Although he was not the starting goaltender during the playoffs, his contributions throughout the season were valuable to the team's success. Following his time with the Ducks, Bryzgalov was claimed off waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes in November 2007. It was with the Coyotes that he truly established himself as a starting goaltender. Over the next few seasons, Bryzgalov became known for his consistent play and ability to handle a heavy workload, often ranking among the league leaders in games played and minutes on the ice.
In the 2009-2010 season, Bryzgalov's performance earned him a nomination for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league's top goaltender. He finished the season with 42 wins, a 2.29 goals-against average, and a .920 save percentage, helping the Coyotes reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002. His efforts were recognized with a spot on the NHL Second All-Star Team.
Bryzgalov's success in Phoenix led to a lucrative contract with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2011. The Flyers signed him to a nine-year, $51 million deal, hoping he would be the solution to their long-standing goaltending issues. However, his time in Philadelphia was marked by inconsistency and off-ice distractions. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Bryzgalov struggled to maintain the level of play he exhibited in Phoenix. His tenure with the Flyers lasted only two seasons before the team decided to buy out his contract in 2013.
After leaving Philadelphia, Bryzgalov had brief stints with the Edmonton Oilers and the Minnesota Wild. In Edmonton, he shared goaltending duties and provided veteran experience to a young team. With the Wild, Bryzgalov was brought in as a backup but ended up playing a significant role in their playoff run due to injuries to the team's other goaltenders.
Bryzgalov's NHL career concluded with a return to the Anaheim Ducks during the 2014-2015 season.
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