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Brett Berard was competing in just his fourth career NHL game when he suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder.
It was a “normal hit” in the Rangers’ eventual 4-3 win over the Canadiens at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 30, Berard explained before suiting up for the Shoulder Check Showcase last week. He missed just three games, returned to the lineup and appeared in 31 more contests in what ultimately became a lost 2024-25 season that ended in early April.
“I was out for a week or so, but it’s one of those things where you’re up in the NHL, you work your whole life for it,” Berard said of the injury, which didn’t require surgery despite forcing him to pull out of the 2025 World Championship this summer. “I felt like I was playing pretty good hockey, too, so you don’t want to really lose that. So, [I] just tried to play through it.”
The circumstances surrounding Berard’s first NHL recall are worth mentioning for context.
Here was a 22-year-old, long-shot draft pick by the club — at 134th overall in 2020 — who had worked his way up the organizational depth chart. The Rangers were beginning to implode in the aftermath of president and general manager Chris Drury’s leaked league-wide memo soliciting trade partners for his captain and longest-tenured player. The losing streak had just hit a season-high five straight games following a dud in Philadelphia.
Berard’s recall was made with hope that the 5-foot-9, 175-pound wing, who was Hartford’s leading scorer at the time, could help give the team some new life.
It was a lofty situation to be walking into for a rookie, but one that Berard embraced with excitement and patience. This despite going back down to the AHL for a bit before coming in and out of the Rangers lineup through the final two months of the season.
No one could save the Rangers sinking ship, but Berard certainly made an impression that could set him up for a legitimate battle to make the roster out of training camp this upcoming season.
“I’m confident. I feel like I’m confident in myself,” he said of the possibility. “I really don’t try to look at the roster, who’s where. None of that. Anything can happen. I think just going into anything, going into life, tryouts, growing up going to baseball: You get one tryout. You get one first impression.
“Just do your best. That’s kind of all. I’m a big believer of everything happens for a reason, so I feel like if I put myself in the best position I can, it’ll be good.”
Berard, who plans to be 100 percent ready for training camp, will presumably duke it out with fellow youngsters Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault for a roster spot.
There may be only one up for grabs amongst the three, especially amid the additions of veterans Taylor Raddysh and Conor Sheary (PTO).
Though a player like Sheary might have a leg up because of his history with new head coach Mike Sullivan, Berard is believed to have the skill set that will play well into the incoming system and preferred style of play.
The Rhode Island native posted six goals in his 35 games with the Rangers last season, totaling 10 points and a minus-6 rating. It was his energy and speed, however, that seemed to positively impact the Rangers the most.
In addition to rehabbing his shoulder this summer, Berard has put on some weight and chosen to spend his offseason in the tri-state area training with NHLers at Prentiss Hockey Performance in Stamford, Conn. He’s been working with his Rangers teammates Adam Fox, Matt Rempe and Jonathan Quick.
With a different-looking coaching staff waiting for him in training camp, Berard is harping on his first impression.
You only get one, he said, noting that it’ll be imperative for him to not take a single day off.
“I’ve talked to [Sullivan] a couple times, just being in the area, being at the gym, too,” Berard said. “He’s awesome. Everything I’ve heard about him is awesome. Super excited to get started. I think, for me, kind of not focusing on that stuff and if my game plays well into his game. I think I do things that he likes from his players. But yeah, for me, it’s just continuing to play my game with confidence and bring my speed, my energy, tenacity and hockey sense to put it all together.
“I’m looking forward to the start of the year. Getting a taste of it last year, I know it’s cliché, but just hungry for more. The opportunity that comes in September should be good, should be a lot of fun. Just put my best foot forward and see what happens.”
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