VOORHEES, N.J. (AP) — Ilya Bryzgalov says Philadelphia reminds him of Russia.
No, not because the Stanley Cup doesn’t call either locale home.
The rain and dreary conditions prompted Bryzgalov to poke a little fun at Philly. Weather aside, the All-Star goaltender is excited to join the Flyers. He says he’s up for the challenge of winning Philadelphia’s first hockey championship since 1975.
The Flyers acquired the rights to Bryzgalov in June in a deal with the Phoenix Coyotes. They signed him to a $51 million, nine-year deal. He’s spent the last week house hunting, and skating with his new teammates at the Flyers’ practice facility.
Bryzgalov was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2009-10, and went 36-20-10 with a 2.48 goals-against average and seven shutouts last season.
