Bryzgalov_russia
In Soviet Russia, goalie call you!

Here's the full transcript – courtesy of the Flyers tremendous, city-leading PR department (take note, Philadelphia Phillies) – of Bryz's conference call with the media today:

Q:What is your reaction signing with the Flyers?

“It’s exciting. I am excited to join a great organization with a rich history. That was my first reaction and I expect a lot from our work together.”

Q: What made Philadelphia so impressive for you? What sold you on coming to Philadelphia? 

“First of all, when I came to Philadelphia, I met Mr. [Ed] Snider, Paul Holmgren and other people in the organization. We talked to each other and they told me the philosophy of the team. I like the philosophy of the team – winning, and everything in Philadelphia. I like this philosophy and it’s my philosophy too. I want to win. We talk about hockey, about the life.  This is where I want to spend the rest of my career and compete for the Stanley Cup. This is a good spot for me because I like the idea and philosophy of the team.” 

Q: Are you prepared to deal with the pressure of being the guy that is look to as in some ways a goaltending savior for this organization?

“I want to be. I want to be and I want to be the guy who can carry this team. I don’t know what else to say. I want to help this team win the Stanley Cup because people in Philadelphia and the organization have waited long enough. I want to win the Stanley Cup also and I think we have similar ideas, similar goals. That’s why we have to work hard and reach this goal. Pressure…we have to deal with the pressure every way and every day in our lives, hockey, everywhere.”

Q: When did you think that the Flyers could be an option for you to sign there?

“It was in the middle of [June]. My agent [Ritch Winter] called me and said there is a possible trade, the Philadelphia Flyers want to trade for you and try to negotiate a contract with you. I don’t remember the exact date; it was probably the beginning of June. I said it’s a great idea, let’s try to do this and find a way to negotiate with one of the best organizations in the league, or maybe the best.”

Q: How much did you know about the Flyers when you signed with them?

“I knew Philadelphia was a great team. The highest goal is to win the Stanley Cup every year. This team always drafted a big, aggressive team that doesn’t like to play second number. They always like to play great hockey and they want to dominate. I know it’s a long long time. It’s a big, aggressive team that wants to dominate on theice.  The Eastern Conference is probably more open than the Western Conference. That’s all I know. I know the Flyers were twice a Stanley Cup champion in the 70s, lost a couple times in the 90s. Two years ago in the Stanley Cup Final they lost.  This year, unfortunately they did not reach their goal.”

Q: How did you feel you played in the last two years in the playoffs with Phoenix? Your best? Or do you think you could play better?

“Definitely I can play better. Last year I think with Detroit, in a seven game series, I think we had good chances but in Game 7 we just ran out of gas. This year’s playoff series we came in already running out of gas because we had a lot of injuries in the two month race for the playoff spot. It was crazy in the West and we had lots of injuries and players were hurt. I thought I should have played better, but maybe I was tired too. That’s why I made some once in a while mistakes. It’s hockey and I expect from myself much better. I gave Phoenix everything what I could at that moment. I expect from myself much much better. Unfortunately, we couldn’t beat Detroit. I know I can play in the playoffs, I have played before. I expect much better of myself in the future.”

Q: What was it like in 2007 being part of a Stanley Cup Championship Team?

“It was tough, really really tough. It’s great. One of the greatest moments in my life because it was such a long season, such competitive teams and such competitive players play against you, and when it’s over and you’ve got success, there’s nothing better.”

Q: What is a comfortable number of games for you in a regular season?

“It depends on how much the team needs me. If the team needs me 82 games I’ll play 82 games. If the team needs me 60 games I’ll play 60 games. It’s the coach’s decision and management’s decision. We’ll see how much we go through the whole season. It’s not a short season, 82 games, we’ll see. It depends.”

Q: What do you remember about playing with Chris Pronger? Did you talk to Chris at all before you decided to sign with the Flyers? 

“Not yet, not yet. He is a great guy. He’s a good person and a big physical defenseman who can score, who can move the puck. He has everything that a number one defenseman needs. He’s got size, he’s got skill, he has character.”

Q: What do you think of all the changes that were made by the Flyers?

“It’s tough to comment because I’m a new guy in the organization and I don’t know, but its management’s decision. Under NHL rules you can be traded any day and management made decisions to make some adjustments and we just have to accept it and play it. ” 

Q: Have you talked to Peter Laviolette at all and what he is going to expect from you?

“Yeah, I met him when we came with my wife during our short trip in Philadelphia. We had a meeting and we talked in general about Philadelphia and New Jersey, where the players live, where the good schools are, we talked in general about everything. As soon as I come to Philadelphia we’ve got to discuss more about what we have to do, how we have to play and how he sees me on the team.”