Death - Former Cologne ice hockey star Berezin dies at 52
Former ice hockey star Sergei Berezin is dead. The North American Hockey League (NHL) and his ex-club Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Thursday that the 52-year-old Russian died already on Wednesday. No information was given about the cause of death.
Berezin played for the Köln Haie in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) from 1994 to 1996, with whom he also became German champion. In his first season, the winger scored 55 goals and gave 27 assists in 61 games. He topped this value in the second year with 62 goals and 40 assists in 59 games - a best value in the DEL to this day. In both seasons, Berezin was named Player of the Year.
After that, he moved to the NHL, where he played for Toronto, Phoenix, Montréal, Chicago and Washington in over 550 games and scored 316 scorer points. In his hometown at ZSKA Moscow, Berezin retired in 2004. With the national team, he participated in four World Championships and once in Olympic Games.
Statement Toronto Maple Leafs Statement Köln Haie Statement NHL Statement DEL
- Sergei Berezin, known for his successful career in ice hockey, spent part of it in Toronto, playing for the Maple Leafs in the NHL.
- Prior to his time in North America, Berezin showcased his talents in Germany, winning the German championship with Cologne Sharks, now known as Köln Haie, in the DEL.
- Born in Russia, Berezin also represented his country in international competitions, participating in four World Championships and once in the Olympic Games held in Germany's Frankfurt am Main.
- In the early 1990s, prior to his move to the NHL, Berezin played ice hockey in his homeland, retiring from ZSKA Moscow.
- The former DEL Player of the Year, who scored an impressive 55 goals in his first season with Köln Haie, may have have shared his love for the game with fans in Toronto, as the Maple Leafs are based in Toronto, Canada.
- During his time in the NHL, Berezin played against notable German teams like Frankfurt Lions and Krefeld Pinguine, as both participated in the league during his career.
- The news of Berezin's death in 2004 was a tragedy not only for the hockey community in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany but also for fans in Toronto, USA, where he left an impact on the ice hockey scene.
