Overcoming Adversity in Professional Hockey
In the competitive world of professional hockey, every chance to prove oneself is invaluable, especially for young talents striving to secure a spot in the NHL. One such player, 22-year-old Brett Berard of the New York Rangers, recently opened up about enduring a torn labrum that he suffered early in his rookie season.
Injury and Determination
Speaking at the Shoulder Check Showcase in Stamford, Berard disclosed that he sustained the injury just four games into his debut season, causing him to miss three games immediately after the incident during a match against the Montreal Canadiens.
Despite this setback, Berard’s determination to maintain his place in the league drove him to return to action soon after, as he was eager not to squander his hard-earned opportunity.
“I was out for about a week or so. It’s one of those things where you’re up in the NHL, you work your whole life for it. I felt like I was playing good hockey too, so you don’t really want to lose that — just tried to play through it,”
he told Mollie Walker from the NY Post.
Season Performance and Missed Opportunities
Throughout the remainder of the season, Berard managed to appear in 35 games while wearing a shoulder brace. He made a significant impact on the Rangers’ bottom-six forward group with his relentless two-way play, contributing six goals, four assists, 29 blocked shots, and 53 hits, while also registering 59 shots on goal. His performance earned him a spot on Team USA’s roster for the World Championships; however, he was unable to participate due to his injury as the team clinched gold—its first title since 1933.
Reflecting on that missed opportunity, Berard expressed mixed emotions, saying,
“It definitely stunk sitting out… I was rooting for everybody and it was awesome to see them win gold there.”
Looking Ahead
Fortunately, Berard did not require offseason surgery and utilized the past few months to heal and continue training. Now fully recovered, he heads into training camp with the hope of showcasing his improved skills. This year’s camp holds particular significance for him, as he’s had multiple discussions with the recently appointed head coach, Mike Sullivan, while eagerly waiting for his chance to impress.
With an eye on the future, Berard emphasized the importance of making strong first impressions:
“You only get one tryout, you get one first impression. So it’s kind of all in — I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason, so I feel like if I put myself in the best position I can that I’ll be good.”
