Former Toronto Maple Leafs player Sergei Berezin dead at 52
Former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Sergei Berezin has died.
The NHL Alumni Association announced the sad news of his “sudden passing.” Berezin was just 52 years old.
“We send our deepest condolences to Sergei’s family, friends, and former teammates during this extremely difficult time,” NHL Alumni shared in a post on X.
The NHL Alumni Association is heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of Sergei Berezin at the age of 52 years old.
Sergei was drafted in the 10th round of the 1994 Entry Draft to the @MapleLeafs. He would soon show his spectacular play when he joined the Leafs roster in… pic.twitter.com/WoB3bn8X3S
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) June 26, 2024
Berezin played five seasons with the Leafs from 1996 to 2001. He was a member of the 1999 Maple Leafs team that made it to the Eastern Conference Final when Pat Quinn was Toronto’s coach and Mats Sundin was captain.
Maybe the best Leafs game I ever went to live.
Sergei Berezin sets up Steve Thomas for the OT winner against the Sens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarters in 2000.
Rest in peace, Sergei
Rest in peace, Bob Cole pic.twitter.com/JmymSTBTDR
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) June 26, 2024
Born in Voskresensk, Russia, Berezin was a 10th-round draft pick of the Maple Leafs in 1994. Despite that, he made his NHL debut two years later in 1996, scoring 25 goals in his rookie season.
Berezin’s career year came in 1998-99, when he scored 37 goals and 59 points in 76 games. He went on to play for the Phoenix Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and Washington Capitals before leaving the NHL in 2003.
“In his retirement, he enjoyed coaching minor hockey, playing tennis, and, most importantly, spending time with his family,” NHL Alumni added on X.
View this post on Instagram
- You might also like:
- Leafs goalie prospect coming to North America from Russia next season
Follow Channels and Categories