Bryan Berard
Born (1977-03-05) March 5, 1977
Woonsocket, Rhode Island, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Left
Played for New York Islanders
Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Rangers
Boston Bruins
Chicago Blackhawks
Columbus Blue Jackets
Vityaz Chekhov
National team  United States
NHL Draft 1st overall, 1995
Ottawa Senators
Playing career 1996–2009

Bryan Wallace Berard (born March 5, 1977) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. Berard was the first overall pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He is most noted for a debilitating eye injury he received early in his career. Berard underwent several operations, and played 619 games in his NHL career despite the seriousness of the injury.

Playing career

Junior career

Berard was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He began his junior career playing for Mount St. Charles Academy in Rhode Island. He won three championships with the school before departing after his third year. Berard had offers from Boston College, the University of Maine, and the University of Michigan, but chose to go the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).[1] Berard was drafted by the Detroit Junior Red Wings of the OHL. and won the OHL Championship with the team in the 1994–95 season and made the league's first all-star team.[2] He was also named the league's rookie of the year, only the third defenceman to win the trophy.[3]

Entry draft and New York Islanders

Berard was drafted first overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. As the first overall pick, and with the Senators blue line among the weaker in the league, Berard anticipated going straight to the National Hockey League. However, after his first training camp with the team, he was returned to junior hockey. Concerned about his development, Berard requested a trade.[4] In January 1996, the Senators sent him to the New York Islanders in a trade that saw his rights, along with those of Wade Redden, Martin Straka, Don Beaupre, and Damian Rhodes move between the teams.[5]

Berard joined the Islanders for 1996–97 season and made an immediate impact. With 48 points in his rookie season, he led all defensemen on the team, and finished ninth league-wide in scoring amongst defensemen.[6] He was rewarded for his efforts by winning the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL, edging out Jarome Iginla.[4] He also played for the United States in the 1998 Winter Olympics. The team finished sixth.[7] After three years with the Islanders, the team was concerned with his ability to play defense and were in search of a proven goaltender. The Islanders traded Berard to the Toronto Maple Leafs for goaltender Félix Potvin in January 1999.[8]

Toronto Maple Leafs and injury

Berard put up 19 points in 38 games with the Maple Leafs, and played 17 more contests in the postseason.[8] In his second year with the club, he had 30 points in 64 games when on March 11, 2000, during a game against the Senators in Ottawa, the stick of the Senators' Marián Hossa clipped Berard in the right eye on a follow through.[9][10] The eye was severely slashed on the sclera which resulted in a retinal tear and a detached retina.[11] In the hospital after the incident, after being told he might lose his eye, Berard reportedly told his friends that he would play hockey again.[12] Despite that optimism, he received a $6.5 million settlement from his insurance company, for what many considered to be a career-ending injury.[13]

Berard missed the 2000–01 season and underwent seven eye operations, improving his vision in the eye to 20/600.[6] He started working out again in April 2001 and started skating again months thereafter. Berard was later fitted with a contact lens that allowed him to meet the league's minimum vision requirement of 20/400.[6][12] He became an unrestricted free agent in 2001.[8]

Free agency

When it became apparent that he might play again, the Maple Leafs stated they were interested in his services,[8] but Berard opted to play for a team that was currently rebuilding and was a bit closer to his home of Woonsocket. Upon signing a tryout contract with the New York Rangers, he returned his insurance settlement and risked a comeback to the NHL. He played well enough that his tryout contract turned into a $2 million contract for the 2001–02 season, plus two one-year options that could have turned it into a $9.75 million pact.[14] However, his option was not exercised by the Rangers after a disappointing season where he only scored 2 goals and 23 points despite playing in all 82 games for the Rangers.[15]

Berard then inked a one-year deal with an option for a second year to join the Boston Bruins.[15] With Boston, Berard began to return to his pre-injury form posting ten goals and 38 points, his highest total since his second year in the league.[6] Despite his success, the Bruins balked when an arbitrator awarded Berard a $2.51 million contract and they walked away from the ruling, making him an unrestricted free agent.[16][17]

The Chicago Blackhawks offered him a $2.01 million deal and signed him to a one-year contract.[17] In Chicago, Berard's game continued to improve and he finished the year second on the team in scoring with 47 points, just one off his career best. He capped his year by being awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for his dedication to hockey.[18] With his career seemingly on the upswing, the Blackhawks and Berard agreed on a one-year $3 million contract for the 2004–05 campaign. Blackhawks general manager Bob Pulford was eager to have him back, saying "His point production was right up there with the best defensemen. He excels on the power play and that's a huge part of the game now. It was important for us to get him under contract."[19] But the season was ultimately cancelled due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, and with a new general manager replacing Pulford, Berard was not tendered an offer for the 2005–06 season.

As a free agent, Berard landed a two-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus GM Doug MacLean felt that Berard's skillset was a perfect fit for his club, saying "Bryan brings a level of speed to our blue line that we've never had in the past," adding, "With a more wide-open game coming in the NHL, Bryan should really flourish and we're excited about what he adds to our hockey team."[20] While Berard had overcome the limitations of his vision to become a solid offensive defensemen, his time in Columbus would be marred by troubles with his back. His first season with the Blue Jackets saw him post impressive numbers with 12 goals and 32 points in just 44 games but a back injury - and subsequent surgery - shut him down in March. In October, when he should have been gearing up for his second year with the club, he had another surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back and managed to play just eleven games with the Jackets.[21] In late February, just before the trade deadline, the team waived Berard, ending his time in Columbus.[22]

Berard accepted an invitation to attend training camp for the 2007–08 season with the Islanders, and performed well enough to earn a one-year contract with them.[23] In his first game back with his original NHL team, Berard scored the game-winning goal in a 2–1 Islander victory against another of his former teams, the Rangers.[24] Berard managed just five goals and 22 points that season.[25]

European career and retirement

Prior to the start of the 2008–09 NHL season, Berard was invited to training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers.[25] He was not offered a contract despite tallying three assists in Philadelphia's camp.[26] Berard signed on November 16, 2008, with Vityaz Chekhov of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).[27] He scored 17 points in 25 games played.[28] Berard retired after the 2008–09 season due to problems with his back.[8]

Post retirement

Berard lives in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. He appeared in 2011 on the Battle of the Blades, a CBC Television program.[29]

He was a victim along with many other NHL players of a scam run by financial advisor Phil Kenner.[30] Kenner was eventually sentenced to 17 years in jail for the scam.[31]

Positive drug test

In early 2006, it was revealed that he had tested positive for an anabolic steroid known as 19-norandrosterone, in a drug test he had taken in November 2005. He was the first NHL player ever to test positive for steroids. The NHL did not hand down any form of suspension to Berard, as they did not administer the test, but he was banned from international play for two years effective January 3, 2006. Berard said after the incident, "I made a mistake that resulted in a suspension and, while unintentional, I take full responsibility. I became aware of this problem after the fact, and for that, I am disappointed in myself."[32]

Awards and honors

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1991–92 Mount St. Charles Academy HS-RI 15 3 15 18 4 — — — — —
1992–93 Mount St. Charles Academy HS-RI 15 8 12 20 18 — — — — —
1993–94 Mount St. Charles Academy HS-RI 15 11 26 37 4 4 3 3 6 6
1994–95 Detroit Junior Red Wings OHL 58 20 55 75 97 21 4 20 24 38
1994–95 Detroit Junior Red Wings MC — — — — — 5 1 3 4 6
1995–96 Detroit Whalers OHL 56 31 58 89 116 17 7 18 25 41
1996–97 New York Islanders NHL 82 8 40 48 86 — — — — —
1997–98 New York Islanders NHL 75 14 32 46 59 — — — — —
1998–99 New York Islanders NHL 34 4 11 15 26 — — — — —
1998–99 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 38 5 14 19 22 17 1 8 9 8
1999–2000 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 64 3 27 30 42 — — — — —
2001–02 New York Rangers NHL 82 2 21 23 60 — — — — —
2002–03 Boston Bruins NHL 80 10 28 38 64 3 1 0 1 2
2003–04 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 58 13 34 47 53 — — — — —
2005–06 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 44 12 20 32 32 — — — — —
2006–07 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 11 0 3 3 8 — — — — —
2007–08 New York Islanders NHL 54 5 17 22 48 — — — — —
2008–09 Vityaz Chekhov KHL 25 3 14 17 103 — — — — —
NHL totals 619 76 247 323 500 20 2 8 10 10

International

Year Team Event   GP G A Pts PIM
1995 United States WJC 7 0 1 1 36
1996 United States WJC 6 1 4 5 20
1997 United States WC 1 1 0 1 0
1998 United States OG 4 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 13 1 5 6 56
Senior totals 5 1 0 1 0

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jacobs, Jeff (July 7, 1995). "No.1, Berard is Different". Hartford Courant. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Bryan Berard explains why he asked the Senators to trade him". Sportsnet. May 12, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Colts' Aaron Ekblad, 16, named top OHL rookie". CBC Sports. April 5, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Bryan Berard has no regrets about requesting trade from Ottawa". Sportsnet. The Canadian Press. April 27, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Trade history: Ottawa Senators". CBC Sports. February 8, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Ritter, Mark (August 23, 2009). "Bryan Berard: The Forgotten Franchise Player". Bleacher Report. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  7. ↑ Wright, Cory; Kandrach, Sasha (July 4, 2020). "Looking Back at the Isles on Team USA". New York Islanders. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via NHL.com.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Siegel, Jonas (June 24, 2020). "'He was living his dream': Bryan Berard, the Maple Leafs' heist that never was". The Athletic. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  9. ↑ McDonald, Joe (March 11, 2016). "Bryan Berard remembers the injury that changed his life". ESPN. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Bryan Berard speaks". CBC Sports. April 5, 2000. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  11. ↑ Mooney, Harrison (November 13, 2013). "Bryan Berard helps bring down con men that stole millions from retired NHLers". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Kreiser, John (2002). "Vision quest: a devastating eye injury was supposed to have ended Bryan Berard's career, but thanks to unflagging dedication—and a special contact lens—the 1997 rookie of the year is back on the ice". Hockey Digest. Archived from the original on 2004-11-02. Retrieved 2006-05-13.
  13. ↑ Mooney, Harrison (July 11, 2014). "Bryan Berard wants $18 million from insurance company that handled his eye injury". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Berard signs with Rangers". UPI.com. October 4, 2001. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Berard joins Bruins". BBC Sport. August 13, 2002. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  16. ↑ Dupont, Kevin Paul (August 10, 2003). "Berard agrees but Bruins aren't sold". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via Boston.com.
  17. 1 2 "Blackhawks sign defenseman Bryan Berard". ESPN. October 31, 2003. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  18. ↑ "NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Winners". NHL.com. June 20, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  19. ↑ Milbert, Neil (August 17, 2004). "Berard, Hawks avoid power play over deal". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Blue Jackets add another vet defender in Berard". ABC News. November 2, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Defenceman Bryan Berard is activated by Columbus Blue Jackets". NHL.com. January 31, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Blue Jackets re-sign Modin, waive Berard". CBC Sports. February 26, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Islanders sign Bryan Berard". CBC Sports. October 9, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  24. ↑ Caldwell, Dave (October 12, 2007). "Berard Finds His Way Back to Islanders After Eye Injury". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  25. 1 2 "Flyers give defenceman Berard a tryout". CBC Sports. The Associated Press. August 25, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  26. ↑ Chiasson, Paul (October 4, 2008). "Former New Jersey Devils center Jim Dowd cut by Flyers". NJ.com. Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  27. ↑ Klein, Jeff Z. (December 3, 2008). "Bryan Berard in Russia: 'I Like Everything Here'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Bryan Berard". Columbus Blue Jackets. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via NHL.com.
  29. ↑ Craig, Gord (September 15, 2011). "Battle of the Blades: A look at the hockey players". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  30. ↑ Hensley, Laura (July 15, 2015). "'It was all gone': Former NHLer Bryan Berard explains how fraudsters devastated his retirement savings". National Post. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  31. ↑ Red, Christian (October 10, 2020). "Disgraced Financial Advisor to Ex-NHL Players Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison". Forbes. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  32. ↑ Litsky, Frank (January 21, 2006). "Hockey; Berard Slapped With Two-Year International Suspension". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
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