Former NHL winger Sergei Berezin died suddenly at age 52, exactly two decades after retiring from professional hockey, according to multiple reports.
The NHL Alumni Association announced Berezin’s death in a social media post on Wednesday, and the cause of death has not yet been determined.
Berezin was believed to be living happily in Florida, coaching minor hockey, playing tennis and spending time with his family, according to the news release.
He was selected with the 256th overall pick in the tenth round of the 1994 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, out of Voskresenk, Russia.
Berezin played five seasons with the Maple Leafs and scored more than 20 goals in four of them.
Sergei Berezin was retired in Florida and living with his family at the time of his death on Wednesday.
“We are incredibly saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Sergei Berezin,” the Leafs said in a statement on X. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Berezin’s best season came in 1998-99, when he set career highs with 27 goals and 59 points. He also scored six goals in 17 playoff games as the Leafs advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before being eliminated by Buffalo in five games.
One of Berezin’s most memorable goals came in the first round against Philadelphia, when he scored with one minute left in Game 6, leading the Leafs to clinch the series with a 1-0 victory.
Berezin was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Mikael Renberg after the 2000-2001 season.
In total, he scored 286 points (160 goals, 126 assists) in 502 career NHL games with Toronto, Phoenix, Montreal, Chicago and Washington.
Berezin also added 13 goals and 17 assists in 52 playoff games.