Ilya Bryzgalov |
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Ilya Nikolayevich Bryzgalov (Russian: Илья Николаевич Брызгалов; born June 22, 1980) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, 44th overall, by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Internationally, he has earned a bronze medal with Russia at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and a silver medal at the 2000 World Junior Championships. Bryzgalov also competed in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. He earned gold as a starting goaltender with team Russia in 2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.
Bryzgalov started his professional career in his native Russia, splitting the 1999–00 season between HC Spartak Moscow of the Russian Supreme League (RSL-2) and HC Lada Togliatti of the Russian Super League (RSL). Bryzgalov played two seasons with HC Lada Togliatti, before joining the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, who had drafted him in the second round, 44th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
However, with Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Martin Gerber ahead of him in the club's depth chart, Bryzgalov spent the better part of his first four seasons in North America with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the American Hockey League (AHL). He made his Mighty Ducks debut in 2001–02, playing in his first of two games during that four-season stretch.