Former Maple Leaf Sergei Berezin passes away at 52

It’s a somber day in the hockey world as news broke Wednesday that nine-year NHL veteran Sergei Berezin passed away suddenly at the age of 52. Berezin was a former 10th round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Leafs drafted Berezin 256th overall at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. The native of Voskresensk, Russia would make his NHL debut during the 1996-97 season. He scored 25 goals his rookie year, and collected 41 points in 73 games. He’d go on to play another four seasons in Toronto, which included a career season in 1998-99, when Berezin recorded 37 goals and 59 points in 76 games.

Berezin would leave Toronto and join the Phoenix Coyotes for 41 games of the 2001-02 season, and would finish the year with the Montreal Canadiens. His NHL career also included stops in Chicago and he finished off his final NHL season as a member of the Washington Capitals. Berezin left the NHL and returned back home to Russia to play 16 games with CSKA Moscow in 2003-04.

His game was built on skill, speed, offensive instincts and a quick, accurate wrist shot and Berezin had a knack for getting fans to the edge of their seats with his end-to-end rushes. Throughout his NHL career he appeared in 502 games, scored 160 times and finished with 286 points. He’d also add another 30 points in 52 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

One of the biggest goals of his career came in Game 4 of the second round of 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs as a member of the Maple Leafs. Berezin would score a series-tying overtime goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins:

After his playing days were behind him, Berezin stayed close to the game he loved deeply. Throughout his retirement he enjoyed coaching minor hockey and his hobbies away from the rink included playing tennis and most importantly, spending time with his family.

We send our deepest condolences to Sergei’s family, friends and former teammates.