Ilya Bryzgalov will be formally introduced to the media at a press conference tomorrow at the SkateZone in Voorhees. The session will likely produce some colorful quotes from the (sometimes) loquacious and candid netminder.
After all, this is the man who, asked to describe how he views himself, compared himself to a silverback gorilla ("Watch National Geographic, and you'll find out. They take care of their families."). He'll probably unleash a few colorful sound bites tomorrow.
However, I have heard that, around the media during the season, Bryzgalov is not always the smiling, laughing quipster of Youtube "Why you have to be mad? Is only game" fame. Reporters in Phoenix griped that he could get moody -- so his relationship with the Philly press may get tested at times this season -- but tomorrow's session will undoubtedly be relaxed. There will be smiles and laughter. How long the honeymoon lasts depends on how the season goes.
Bryzgalov certainly does not lack for confidence in his abilities, nor is he bothered much by pressure. That's a good thing, because the pressure on him to play at a Vezina caliber level will be immense (especially given his salary). The more he can block out the noise, the better off he'll be. Once the season starts, Flyers supporters could not care less whether he wins the "Good Guy Award" from the local media. His performance on the ice will be the barometer of his popularity.
*****
Teemu "Euroflyers" Hytonen tweeted links to some great
photos from Kimmo Timonen's recent charity golf event.
Much like Peter Forsberg's IceBreakers team and charity in Sweden, Timonen founded the
Kime 4 Kids foundation a few years ago as a means to raise money for sick children in his home area of Kuopio, Finland. The foundation also supports wellness and sporting activities for children.
While some athletes lend their names to charitable foundations primarily as a publicity vehicle for which their only direct involvement consists of making a few public appearances, Timonen is one of the ones (like Danny Briere) who is deeply involved throughout the year. He's actually far more involved in his charitable endeavors than he is with the operations of the KalPa Kuopio hockey team, of which he is the minority owner. Majority owner Sami Kapanen is the one (even during his NHL career) who gets much more hands-on in the operations of the club.
According to Euroflyers, Timonen's main non-hockey business interests right now are geared more toward restaurant entrepreneurship than sports team management. He recently purchased four restaurants in Kuopio, saying, ""I had to find a new challenge for myself when my career is over in 2-3 years."
******
For those of you wondering whatever happened to former Flyers defenseman Andy Delmore, the player is alive and well and playing hockey in Europe. He recently signed a one-year contract with Croatian team KHL Medvescak Zagreb of the Austrian-based Erste Bank Eishockey League.
This week's
Across the Pond on NHL.com takes a look at Delmore's career journey that led him to Zagreb as well as profiling the other key members of the team. There are numerous former NHL players, draft picks and coaches on the North American-heavy squad. The team is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season.
Follow me on Twitter:
Email contact:
[email protected] 
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»