Bryzgalov Named To Russia’s 2010 Olympic Hockey Team

Glendale, AZ - Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov was among the 23 players named to the Russian Olympic team for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

This will be the third time Bryzgalov has represented Russia in the Olympics.  The 29-year-old was also a member of Russia’s 2006 Olympic squad in Torino, Italy and its 2002 Olympic team in Salt Lake City, where he won a bronze medal.  In addition, Bryzgalov helped lead his country to the gold medal at the 2009 IIHF World Championship this summer by posting a record of 7-0 with a 2.08 goals against average (GAA) and a .929 save percentage ( SV%) for the tournament.  In addition to the 2009 World Championship and 2006 and 2002 Olympics, Bryzgalov has also represented Russia at the 2004 World Cup and both the 2000 World Junior Championship and World Championship.

Bryzgalov has appeared in 33 games with the Coyotes this season and has posted a record of 21-10-2 with a 2.08 GAA, a .926 SV% and an NHL-leading five shutouts, which is a new career-high for the netminder.  Bryzgalov also ranks 3rd among NHL goalies in GAA, T-3rd in wins and 5th in SV% and earlier this season became the quickest goalie to reach 20 wins (32 games) in franchise history.  He was also named the NHL’s Third Star for the month of October.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Bryzgalov was claimed off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 17, 2007 and has since appeared in 153 games with the Coyotes, posting a record of 73-63-13 with a 2.57 GAA, a .915 SV% and 11 shutouts.  In 222 career NHL games with the Coyotes and Ducks, Bryzgalov is 99-86-21 with a 2.55 GAA, a .914 SV% and 13 shutouts.  He was also a member of Anaheim’s 2007 Stanley Cup Championship team