The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have acquired the rights to goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov (breez-GAH-lahf, IHL-yah) from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for LW Matt Clackson, the Flyers’ 3rd round draft choice in 2012 and a conditional draft choice, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.

Bryzgalov, 30 (6/22/80), appeared in 68 games for the Coyotes last season, his fourth with the club.  He posted a 36-20-10 record, a 2.48 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage while recording seven shutouts.  He was also a runner-up for the Vezina Trophy following the 2009-10 season.  Bryzgalov was acquired by Phoenix off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks on November 17, 2007.

Ilya Bryzgalov scrambles to cover the puck in a game against the Flyers this past season (Getty Images)

Bryzgalov was a member of Anaheim’s 2007 Stanley Cup championship squad along with current Flyers defensemen Chris Pronger and Sean O’Donnell.   He appeared in 27 games that season, posting a 10-8-6-1 record with a 2.47 GAA and .907 save percentage, and was 3-1 with a 2.24 GAA and .922 save percentage in five Stanley Cup Playoff appearances en route to the championship.

Bryzgalov was selected by Anaheim in the second round (44th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.  Over parts of nine NHL seasons with Anaheim (2001-07) and Phoenix (2007-10), Bryzgalov has posted a record of 156-116-35 in 326 appearances along with a 2.53 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.  He has appeared in 27 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, posting a record of 12-13 with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.

A native of Togliatti, Russia, Bryzgalov has represented his home country in three Olympic Games (2002, 2006, 2010), winning a bronze medal at Salt Lake City in 2002.  He also won a gold medal with Russia at the 2009 World Championships and a silver medal at the 2000 World Junior Championships.

Clackson, 26 (4/26/85), was selected by the Flyers in the seventh round (215th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and joined the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia/Adirondack Phantoms, at the end of the 2007-08 season.  Over that time and the next three full seasons with the Phantoms, Clackson scored six goals and added 13 assists in 204 games, while accruing 574 penalty minutes.

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