Welcome to my page dedicated to Toronto's Russian Rocket Sergei Berezin! This guy is just awesome. He's their best skater, probably their best puckhandler and one of the better shooters too. Well, enoough of my babbling about my opinions...Here's the facts!
Sergei Berezin was born on November 5th, 1971 and was raised in Voskrensensk Russia, a small industrial city also known for it's hockey player production, (Think: Igor Larionov, Slava Kozlov, Valeri Kamensky, and Valeri Zelepukin). A stocky player, standing 5'10 and weighing 200 lbs, Berezin uses his speed and his great shot to his advantage; just two of the things that made him an NHL regular. Up until Berezin was seven years of age, he attended "normal school". After that he attended Hockey School. In the mornings they'd practice hockey skills, and would have their academic classes in the afternoon followed by more hockey at nights. Every Saturday and Sunday, they'd play in actual hockey games. Growing up, his dream was to play for Khimik, one of the best teams in the Russian League, and says that the NHL never even crossed his mind. In 1991 he made the Russian Junior team and made his Canadian debut, (he and the Russians ended up losing to Canada in the Gold Medal game). Berezin credits his Khimik, and Cologne Sharks coach Vladimir Vasiliev as the most influential person in his hockey career. He joined the Cologne Sharks (Germany) in 1994-1995, opting to play there rather than in Canada after being drafted by the Leafs in the Eighth Round (256th overall). He definately made his mark in Germany, becoming an instant fan favourite after leading the German League in goals with 49 in 40 games. The Sergei Berezin Fan Club actually flies over to Canada once a year to catch their hero in action in the Blue and White. He made his NHL debut when he was almost 24 in the 1996-1997 season.
Sergei Berezin is happily married to his wife Natalie, with whom he has a son named Evgeny (aka John). He met her in his apartment building when he was 19 and started up a conversation with her, admitting he first fell for her looks. After conversing he offered to walk her home, and the two have been together ever since. He enjoys working with children, but goes about it in a more private manner. In the summer of 2000, he and good friend and teammate Tie Domi went to Walkerton to try and lift the spirits of the people in the devastated community. He is also quite shy, which makes his friendship with Tie Domi, somewhat unusual, but nonetheless they are "roomies." Berezin says that Domi is not very interesting because all he seems to do when they are on the road is sleep, forcing Berezin to read in the bathroom. Although it is not obvious, he became sort of a leader amongst the young European players on the Leafs. Danny Markov has creditted Berezin as well as countrymen Dmitry Yushkevich and Igor Korolev for making his adjustment to Canadian culture easier for him. Nik Antropov gives Berezin similar praise.
Whether it's scoring goals or dazzling the crowd with his brilliant end-to-end rushes, Berezin has developed an image in the NHL. One that states that if you underestimate the skill, heart and speed of Sergei Berezin, you are bound to be in for a disaster. He is the type of player who can single-handedly change the momentum for his team with a flick of a wrist, a goal, and some bragging rights!
