Best to Wear #18 – Sergei Brylin

NUMBER: 18
HEIGHT: 5’10”
WEIGHT: 190
POSITION: Center
SHOOTS: Left
BORN: January 13, 1974
BIRTHPLACE: Moscow, Russia

When fans think of the New Jersey Devils‘ three Stanley Cups, fans usually think of the same players: Daneyko, Niedermayer, Brodeur, and Stevens. However, Sergei Brylin is also a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the New Jersey Devils.

Brylin was drafted in the second round, 42nd overall, in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils.

After debuting during the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season, Brylin played the next 12 seasons with the Devils. While he wasn’t your top superstar, Brylin brought something valuable to the team.

Brylin was regarded as one of the best utility men in the game. While his game was usually defensive minded, Brylin could always fill any gap that the Devils had. He has played as a scoring forward, center, winger, penalty killer, powerplayer, first liner, fourth liner, he’s done it all. Except, he never was a defenseman.

Brylin signed away from the NHL after the 2007-08 season when the Devils didn’t offer him a deal.

He has made several attempts to come back to the Devils, but they have never been successful.

He currently plays for Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the KHL in Russia.