They're not laughing at Ilya Bryzgalov in the Minnesota Wild dressing room - they're downright reveling in his presence.

Zach Parise told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that seeing the enigmatic netminder strut into the arena Friday put "a smile on everybody's face."

Bryzgalov was invited to training camp on a pro tryout after Josh Harding was put on the shelf with a fractured foot and later suspended after it was revealed the injury occurred during an off-ice altercation.

He proved that he is still a capable goaltender last season, posting a 7-1-3 record with a 2.12 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 12 appearances with the Wild after being acquired in March.