Until this week, former Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, one of the most colorful and quirky characters in a league full of them, was a stay-at-home dad in New Jersey. Bryzgalov shuttled his son to hockey practices and his daughter to figure skating lessons and was fairly content.
"I'm not going to lie to you, pretty much after the training camp in Minnesota, I didn't do much," he said. "I was just busy with my home stuff. Like drop the kids at school, drop them at the practice and do homework. I was like a full-time dad."
He was on his way back from Philadelphia, another former home of his, coming from his son's hockey tournament, when his agent, Ritch Winter, called him and asked if he might have an interest in playing again. Bryzgalov really didn't, until he heard where the offer was coming from: Anaheim, the place where he started his NHL career.
"It was a big surprise for me," he said. "I remember once in my lifetime, I was with Teemu Selanne and he said, 'Guys, believe me, this is one of the best places to play hockey. Trust me.' After a few years into hockey, I realized yes, it's true. This is one of the best places to play hockey."
With Frederik Andersen's two backups, John Gibson (groin) and Jason LaBarbera (hand) are both out for the foreseeable future and Igor Bobkov not quite NHL ready yet, a spot opened up for a veteran like Bryzgalov. He was signed to a tryout contract and worked out with trainers off the ice Wednesday and at the Anaheim Ice Thursday.
Although he has yet to be signed to a playing contract, Bryzgalov and goalie coach Dwayne Roloson have devised a plan to get him into game-ready shape in the next 10 days.
FIRST LOOK: Ilya Bryzgalov hits the ice @The_Rinks - Anaheim ICE. https://t.co/kbgxK2N6Jv
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 4, 2014
"Dwayne and I, we create a program to get myself into perfect - well, maybe not perfect - but game shape as soon as possible," Bryzgalov said. "You never know how you're going to feel the next day. I had a great practice today with a good workout. We did lots of good things at Anaheim Ice and there's lots of excitement, but we'll see how I feel tomorrow because I need to catch up."
Bryzgalov last faced live shots in goal in training camp with the Minnesota Wild.
Since last playing for the Minnesota Wild last season and in training camp, the 34-year-old Russian netminder has had only few offers, none in the NHL. He played in 20 games for Edmonton Oilers last season before being traded to the Wild, where he was pressed into service in the postseason after Darcy Kuemper was injured.
Bryzgalov went 7-1-3 with a .911 save percentage in Minnesota last season. In Edmonton, he played in 20 games going 5-8-5 with a .911 save percentage.
Drafted by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the second round in 2000, Bryzgalov backed up Jean-Sebestien Giguere in the Ducks' 2007 Stanley Cup Win. Having played more than five seasons in Anaheim, Byrzgalov still has a place in heart for Orange County.
"California is one of the great places on earth. It's beautiful here," he said. "I have so many things connected with California and with Anaheim. I was drafted by Anaheim, I spent here six and 1/2 years. My son was born here, we build our family house from scratch over here. I won the Stanley Cup here. I had a great time here.
"This is one of the best places to play hockey." EXCLUSIVE video of Ilya Bryzgalov after his first day on the ice. https://t.co/fCK6kwkA2u
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 4, 2014
"I love this place."
The Ducks have not formally offered him a contract but if they don't, he won't be upset. And if he Bryz really is done with hockey, he might want to look into a job as a motivational speaker.
"I am who I am. Life is too beautiful to be sad and depressed. You've got to enjoy every day of your life," he said. "The sun comes up, it's so beautiful out there. Everybody is in good condition, good health, you've got to enjoy it and find the positive moments in your life every day."
