The funniest Flyer of them was about to go silent.
In a rather curious turn of events, the Flyers announced on Monday morning that goalie Ilya Bryzgalov will no longer talk to the media except in postgame situations in which he plays.
The chatter box had been shut down. But by early Monday evening, the Flyers, after a conference call with thePHWA's president Kevin Allen in which the club was informed it was inviolation of the league's media policy as per the CBA, relinquished thematter. The goalies will continue to talk as they do on a daily basisbut will have a time limit now.
The Flyers say this was Bryzgalovs idea and not theirs. Yet the timing is rather curious.
On Friday, goalie coach Jeff Reese met with the media and talked about Bryzgalovs recent play and why things had gone south on him.
Reese said more than once that he felt Bryzgalov was distracted by number of things, among them, his daily interactions with the media.
Bryzgalov is the most affable and funny goalie since Garth Snow. Not even Marty Biron can touch his bizarre sense of humor.
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Hes the biggest reason why the Flyers' dressing room is so much looser and fun these days.
And the media love him.
Even when Bryz tries not to get something off his chest, it still spills out. He cant help himself.
Its part of Bryzs personality, and if the Flyers are trying to change the personality of their No. 1 goalie, they might be biting off more than they can chew.
This guy has so much to say, he might implode.
His Scarface routine earlier in October was nothing short of spectacular comedy in the room.
There would be no more daily Bryz. No more humor. No more give-and-take with the media.
Why?
Apparently, because not talking to the media translates into stopping the puck.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net