Sergei Berezin, a Russian winger who starred with the Maple Leafs in the 1990s and went on to play for four more NHL clubs, died unexpectedly at the age of 52.
The league’s Alumni Association wrote Wednesday evening that it was “heartbroken” by the news, but provided no other information. According to the announcement, Berezin is enjoying his retirement in Florida, where he coaches minor hockey, plays tennis, and spends time with his family. Previous Instagram images of his loved ones were plentiful.
Toronto selected the quick winger late in the 1994 draft (the same number he wore) as access to Russian players increased. He scored 25 goals in his rookie season in 1996-97 and attempted to improve his three-zone game by learning a more physical style to match his innate scoring ability. Under new coach Pat Quinn, he had his greatest season in ’98-99, scoring 37 goals and 12 playoff points as the Leafs advanced to the conference final.
Berezin was transferred to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Mikael Renberg in 2001, and he spent the following four seasons with the Coyotes and Montreal Canadiens, respectively. Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals. He had a brief run in the KHL with CSKA Moscow after first catching Toronto’s attention with a 31-goal season for Khimik in 1993-94, followed by two years with the Cologne Sharks. In 357 games with the Leafs, he scored 126 goals and 94 assists.
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