Mighty Ducks of Anaheim agree to one-year contract with Ilya Bryzgalov

July 8, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cincinnati RailRaiders News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on Wednesday.

Bryzgalov played in 64 games with Cincinnati last season, going 27-25-10 with a 2.32 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and six shutouts. The 23-year-old native of Togliatti, Russia ranked first among AHL goaltenders in games and minutes played (3,748), second in wins and saves (1,644) and tied for seventh in shutouts. He also set Cincinnati franchise records for most games, wins, minutes played, saves, shutouts and best goals-against average in one season.

Bryzgalov has appeared in two NHL games with Anaheim in his career. He made his NHL and professional debut October 8, 2001 in relief of Steve Shields at Toronto, stopping 11 of 12 shots in 32 minutes (no decision). The 6-foot-3, 208-pounder recorded his first NHL win this past season, stopping 26 shots in a 3-2 overtime win March 16 at Phoenix.

Bryzgalov was drafted by Anaheim in the second round (44th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the highest goaltender selected by the NHL club in franchise history. He was named to the 2002 AHL All-Star Classic and has collected medals with Team Russia on two occasions (bronze in 2002 Winter Olympics and silver in 2000 World Junior Championships). At the 2000 World Junior tournament, he recorded a tournament-best 0.77 goals-against average and .971 save percentage and was also on the roster for Team Russia for the World Championships that same year.



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