Bryan Berard

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).{{cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-07-07-9507070380-story.html |title=No.1, Berard is Different |work=Hartford Courant |last=Jacobs |first=Jeff |date=July 7, 1995 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} 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. He also made the league's first all-star team.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/bryan-berard-explains-asked-senators-trade/ |title=Bryan Berard explains why he asked the Senators to trade him |work=Sportsnet |date=May 12, 2020 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} He was also named the league's rookie of the year, only the third defenceman to win the trophy.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/colts-aaron-ekblad-16-named-top-ohl-rookie-1.1263715 |title=Colts' Aaron Ekblad, 16, named top OHL rookie |work=CBC Sports |date=April 5, 2012 |access-date=November 13, 2022}}

Berard entered the 1995 NHL entry draft as the consensus number one pick according to several pundits, and was subsequently drafted first overall by the Ottawa Senators.{{cite AV media | people=Paul Romanuk (presenter), Bob McKenzie (presenter) | date=July 8, 1995 | title=1995 NHL Draft Round 1 on TSN | type=television broadcast | location=Edmonton, Canada | publisher=TSN}} The Hartford Whalers, who entered the draft holding the 13th overall pick, contacted the Senators in an effort to trade for the first overall pick to select Berard, but halted their efforts when Ottawa's asking price of Chris Pronger was deemed too high.

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/bryan-berard-no-regrets-requesting-trade-ottawa/ |website=Sportsnet |title=Bryan Berard has no regrets about requesting trade from Ottawa |agency=The Canadian Press |date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} In January 1996, the Senators traded Berard, Martin Straka and Don Beaupre to the New York Islanders in exchange for Wade Redden and Damian Rhodes.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/opinion/2012/02/senators-trade-deadline.html |title=Trade history: Ottawa Senators |work=CBC Sports |date=February 8, 2012 |access-date=November 13, 2022}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/241272-bryan-berard-the-forgotten-franchise-player |title=Bryan Berard: The Forgotten Franchise Player |last=Ritter |first=Mark |work=Bleacher Report |date=August 23, 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} He was rewarded for his efforts by winning the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL, edging out Jarome Iginla. He also played for the United States in the 1998 Winter Olympics. The team finished sixth.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/looking-back-at-the-isles-on-team-usa/c-317315198 |title=Looking Back at the Isles on Team USA |publisher=New York Islanders |via=NHL.com |last1=Wright |first1=Cory |last2=Kandrach |first2=Sasha |date=July 4, 2020 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://theathletic.com/1885432/2020/06/24/the-story-of-bryan-berard-and-the-heist-that-never-was-for-the-maple-leafs/ |title='He was living his dream': Bryan Berard, the Maple Leafs' heist that never was |work=The Athletic |last=Siegel |first=Jonas |date=June 24, 2020 |access-date=November 13, 2022}}

Berard put up 19 points in 38 games with the Maple Leafs, and played 17 more contests in the postseason. 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.{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Joe |title=Bryan Berard remembers the injury that changed his life |url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/14947576/nhl-bryan-berard-remembers-injury-changed-life |website=ESPN |access-date=July 12, 2018 |date=March 11, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/bryan-berard-speaks-1.238806 |title=Bryan Berard speaks |work=CBC Sports |date=April 5, 2000 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} The eye was severely slashed on the sclera which resulted in a retinal tear and a detached retina.{{cite web |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/bryan-berard-helps-bring-down-con-men-stole-202542217--nhl.html |title=Bryan Berard helps bring down con men that stole millions from retired NHLers |work=Yahoo! Sports |last=Mooney |first=Harrison |date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCM/is_3_30/ai_80678765 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041102090615/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCM/is_3_30/ai_80678765 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-11-02 |publisher=Hockey Digest |title=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|access-date=2006-05-13 |first=John |last=Kreiser |year=2002 }} Despite that optimism, he received a $6.5 million settlement from his insurance company, for what many considered to be a career-ending injury.{{cite web |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/bryan-berard-wants--18-million-from-insurance-company-that-handled-his-eye-injury-205325907.html |title=Bryan Berard wants $18 million from insurance company that handled his eye injury |work=Yahoo! Sports |last=Mooney |first=Harrison |date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=November 13, 2022}}

Berard missed the 2000–01 season and underwent seven eye operations, improving his vision in the eye to 20/600. 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. He became an unrestricted free agent in 2001.

When it became apparent that he might play again, the Maple Leafs stated they were interested in his services, 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/10/04/Berard-signs-with-Rangers/9941002168000/ |website=UPI.com |title=Berard signs with Rangers |date=October 4, 2001 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/us_sport/2191566.stm |title=Berard joins Bruins |work=BBC Sport |date=August 13, 2002 |access-date=November 13, 2022}}

Berard then inked a one-year deal with an option for a second year to join the Boston Bruins. 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. 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.{{cite web |url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2003/08/10/berard_agrees_but_bruins_arent_sold/ |title=Berard agrees but Bruins aren't sold |work=The Boston Globe |last=Dupont |first=Kevin Paul |via=Boston.com |date=August 10, 2003 |access-date=November 13, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?id=1651251 |title=Blackhawks sign defenseman Bryan Berard |work=ESPN |date=October 31, 2003 |access-date=November 13, 2022}}

The Chicago Blackhawks offered him a $2.01 million deal and signed him to a one-year contract. 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.{{cite web |title=NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Winners |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-bill-masterton-memorial-trophy-winners-complete-list/c-288418608 |website=NHL.com |access-date=July 12, 2018 |date=June 20, 2018}} 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."{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-08-17-0408170255-story.html |title=Berard, Hawks avoid power play over deal |work=Chicago Tribune |last=Milbert |first=Neil |date=August 17, 2004 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} 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."{{cite web |title=Blue Jackets add another vet defender in Berard |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/blue-jackets-add-vet-defender-berard/story?id=26636407 |website=ABC News |access-date=July 12, 2018 |date=November 2, 2014}} 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.{{cite web |title=Defenceman Bryan Berard is activated by Columbus Blue Jackets |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/defenceman-bryan-berard-is-activated-by-columbus-blue-jackets/c-288271 |website=NHL.com |access-date=July 12, 2018 |date=January 31, 2007}} In late February, just before the trade deadline, the team waived Berard, ending his time in Columbus.{{cite web |title=Blue Jackets re-sign Modin, waive Berard |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/blue-jackets-re-sign-modin-waive-berard-1.650283 |website=CBC Sports |access-date=July 12, 2018 |date=February 26, 2007}}

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.{{cite web |title=Islanders sign Bryan Berard |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/islanders-sign-bryan-berard-1.631981 |website=CBC Sports |access-date=July 12, 2018 |date=October 9, 2007}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/sports/hockey/12islanders.html |title=Berard Finds His Way Back to Islanders After Eye Injury |work=The New York Times |last=Caldwell |first=Dave |date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} Berard managed just five goals and 22 points that season.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/flyers-give-defenceman-berard-a-tryout-1.709048 |title=Flyers give defenceman Berard a tryout |work=CBC Sports |agency=The Associated Press |date=August 25, 2008 |access-date=November 13, 2022}}

Prior to the start of the 2008–09 NHL season, Berard was invited to training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers. He was not offered a contract despite tallying three assists in Philadelphia's camp.{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2008/10/former_devils_center_dowd_cut.html |title=Former New Jersey Devils center Jim Dowd cut by Flyers |work=NJ.com |agency=Associated Press |last=Chiasson |first=Paul |date=October 4, 2008 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} Berard signed on November 16, 2008, with Vityaz Chekhov of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).{{cite web |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/bryan-berard-in-russia-i-like-everything-here/ |title=Bryan Berard in Russia: 'I Like Everything Here' |work=The New York Times |last=Klein |first=Jeff Z. |date=December 3, 2008 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} He scored 17 points in 25 games played.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/cbj-history/bryan-berard |title=Bryan Berard |publisher=Columbus Blue Jackets |via=NHL.com |access-date=November 13, 2022}} Berard retired after the 2008–09 season due to problems with his back.

Berard lives in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. He appeared in 2011 on season 3 of the Battle of the Blades, a CBC Television program.{{cite news|last1=Craig|first1=Gord|url=https://leaderpost.com/entertainment/battle-of-the-blades-a-look-at-the-hockey-players|title=Battle of the Blades: A look at the hockey players |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=September 15, 2011|access-date=July 12, 2018}}

He was a victim along with many other NHL players of a scam run by financial advisor Phil Kenner.{{cite web |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/it-was-all-gone-former-nhler-bryan-berard-explains-how-a-pair-of-fraudsters-devastated-his-retirement-savings |title='It was all gone': Former NHLer Bryan Berard explains how fraudsters devastated his retirement savings |work=National Post |last=Hensley |first=Laura |date=July 15, 2015 |access-date=November 13, 2022}} Kenner was eventually sentenced to 17 years in prison for the scam.{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christianred/2020/10/10/disgraced-financial-advisor-to-exnhl-players-sentenced-to-17-years-in-prison/|title = Disgraced Financial Advisor to Ex-NHL Players Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison |website =Forbes |last=Red |first=Christian |date=October 10, 2020 |access-date=November 13, 2022}}

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."{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/21/sports/hockey-berard-slapped-with-twoyear-international-suspension.html |title=Hockey; Berard Slapped With Two-Year International Suspension |work=The New York Times |last=Litsky |first=Frank |date=January 21, 2006 |access-date=November 13, 2022}}

• NHL All-Rookie Team, 1997
• Calder Memorial Trophy, 1997
• Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, 2004
• Inducted into the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame, 2018

• List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences

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{{succession box | title=NHL first overall draft pick| before=Ed Jovanovski| years=1995| after=Chris Phillips}}

{{succession box | before = Radek Bonk | title = Ottawa Senators first round draft pick | years = 1995 | after = Chris Phillips}}

{{succession box | before = Daniel Alfredsson | title = Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy | years = 1997 | after = Sergei Samsonov }}

{{succession box | before = Steve Yzerman | title = Winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy | years = 2004 | after = Teemu Selanne }}

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{{Battle of the Blades}}

{{Battle of the Blades Season 3}}

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Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:American expatriate ice hockey players in Canada

Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Russia

Category:American men's ice hockey defensemen

Category:American sportspeople in doping cases

Category:Battle of the Blades season 3 participants

Category:Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winners

Category:Boston Bruins players

Category:Calder Trophy winners

Category:Chicago Blackhawks players

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Category:American expatriate ice hockey players in Russia

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Category:Ice hockey players from Rhode Island

Category:Ice hockey players at the 1998 Winter Olympics

Category:First overall NHL draft picks

Category:NHL first-round draft picks

Category:New York Islanders players

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Category:Sportspeople from Woonsocket, Rhode Island

Category:Sportspeople with visual impairment

Category:Toronto Maple Leafs players

Category:American blind people

Category:20th-century American sportsmen