Bryan Wallace Berard (born March 5, 1977) is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
ice hockeyIce Hockey is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use sticks to direct a puck into the opposing team's goal. It is a fast-paced and physical sport...
player, currently playing for
Vityaz ChekhovHC Vityaz Chekhov is a professional ice hockey team based in Chekhov, Moscow, Russia. They are members of the Tarasov division of the Kontinental Hockey League.-History:...
of the
Kontinental Hockey LeagueThe Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008 and ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL). He was the first overall pick in the
1995 NHL Entry DraftThe 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last. The Los Angeles Kings benefitted from the new rules for this draft, picking third,...
by the
Ottawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He is most noted for a debilitating
eye injuryPhysical or chemical injuries of the eye can be a serious threat to vision if not treated appropriately and in a timely fashion. The most obvious presentation of ocular injuries is redness and pain of the affected eyes. This is not, however, universally true, as tiny metallic projectiles may cause...
he received early in his career. He also attended
Mount Saint Charles AcademyMount Saint Charles Academy is a private Catholic high school located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence...
.
He was drafted first overall by the
Ottawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the
1995 NHL Entry DraftThe 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last. The Los Angeles Kings benefitted from the new rules for this draft, picking third,...
. He would not play a game for the Senators, after informing the club he would not report.
Bryan Wallace Berard (born March 5, 1977) is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
ice hockeyIce Hockey is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use sticks to direct a puck into the opposing team's goal. It is a fast-paced and physical sport...
player, currently playing for
Vityaz ChekhovHC Vityaz Chekhov is a professional ice hockey team based in Chekhov, Moscow, Russia. They are members of the Tarasov division of the Kontinental Hockey League.-History:...
of the
Kontinental Hockey LeagueThe Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008 and ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL). He was the first overall pick in the
1995 NHL Entry DraftThe 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last. The Los Angeles Kings benefitted from the new rules for this draft, picking third,...
by the
Ottawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He is most noted for a debilitating
eye injuryPhysical or chemical injuries of the eye can be a serious threat to vision if not treated appropriately and in a timely fashion. The most obvious presentation of ocular injuries is redness and pain of the affected eyes. This is not, however, universally true, as tiny metallic projectiles may cause...
he received early in his career. He also attended
Mount Saint Charles AcademyMount Saint Charles Academy is a private Catholic high school located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence...
.
Playing career
He was drafted first overall by the
Ottawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the
1995 NHL Entry DraftThe 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last. The Los Angeles Kings benefitted from the new rules for this draft, picking third,...
. He would not play a game for the Senators, after informing the club he would not report. The Senators traded him along with
Martin StrakaMartin Straka is a Czech ice hockey centre who plays for HC Lasselsberger Plzen of the Czech Extraliga.-Playing career:...
to the
New York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for
Wade ReddenWade Redden is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He joined the Rangers in 2008 after 11 seasons with the Ottawa Senators...
and
Damian RhodesDamian Rhodes is a retired NHL goaltender drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 6th round of the 1987 Entry Draft, 112th overall...
. He was a successful player on the Islanders and was rewarded for his efforts in 1997 by winning the
Calder TrophyThe Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The award has been awarded 72 times since its beginnings in 1937...
as the top rookie player in the NHL. He also played for the United States in the
1998 Winter OlympicsThe 1998 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1998 in Nagano, Japan. These Games marked the return of the Winter Olympics to Japan since the 1972 Winter Olympics, when the games were held in Sapporo...
. After four years on
Long IslandLong Island is an island located in southeastern New York, United States, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City, and two of which are mainly suburban...
, he was traded to the
Toronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Berard played the last two seasons in Columbus. Besides his Calder Trophy season with the Islanders, Berard’s best season was 2003–04 in which he was 13–34–47 in only 58 games with the Chicago Blackhawks. In 619 career NHL games with the Islanders, Toronto, Rangers, Boston, Chicago, and Columbus, Berard has 76 goals and 247 assists for a total of 323 points. He is tied for 128th on the NHL all-time scoring list for defensemen.
Eye injury
On March 11, 2000, while Berard was playing for the Leafs in a game against the Senators in Ottawa, the stick of
Marián HossaMarián Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player and currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Hossa has also played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings...
clipped Berard in the right eye, severely injuring it. The eye had been severely slashed on
scleraThe sclera, also known as the white part of the eye, is the opaque , fibrous, protective, outer layer of the eye containing collagen and elastic fiber. It is derived from the neural crest. In children, it is thinner and shows some of the underlying pigment, appearing slightly blue...
which results a retinal tear and a detached retina. In the hospital room after the incident, after being told he might lose his eye, Berard reportedly told his friends that he would play hockey again. Despite being optimistic about his future in hockey, he ended up receiving a $6.5 million settlement from his insurance company, what many considered to be a career-ending settlement.
During the next season, he underwent seven eye operations, improving his vision in the eye to
20/600Visual acuity is acuteness or clearness of vision, especially form vision, which is dependent on the sharpness of the retinal focus within the eye and the sensitivity of the interpretative faculty of the brain....
. He started working out again in April 2001 and started skating again months thereafter. He was later fitted with a contact lens that allowed him to meet the league's minimum vision requirement of 20/400.
When it became apparent that he might play again, the 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 RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York, New York, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Berard 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 2002–03 season.
He then enjoyed successful one-year stints with both the
Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, entering the league as the first United States-based expansion franchise...
and
Chicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won three Stanley Cup Championships and thirteen division titles since their founding in 1926...
before signing with the
Columbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . Preceded in Ohio's capital by the Columbus Chill of the ECHL, the Blue Jackets were founded as an...
before the 2005–06 season. As a result of his perseverance, Berard was awarded the
Bill Masterton TrophyThe Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one...
for his dedication to hockey in 2004.
Steroid testing
In early 2006, it was revealed that he had tested positive for an
anabolic steroidAnabolic steroids, or anabolic-androgenic steroids , are a class of steroid hormones related to the hormone testosterone. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue , especially in muscles...
known as
19-norandrosterone19-Norandrosterone is a nandrolone and 19-norandrostenedione metabolite. It is created as a byproduct of nandrolone via the 5-alpha reductase enzyme and is on the list of substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency since it is a detectable metabolite of nandrolone which is an anabolic...
, in a drug test he had taken in November 2005. He was the first NHL player to ever 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.
(dead link) 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."
2007–08 season
Bryan Berard accepted an invitation to attend training camp for the 2007–08 season with the
New York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He performed well enough that Berard signed a one-year contract with the Islanders at the conclusion of training camp.
In his first game back with the Islanders, Berard scored the game-winning goal against his former team, the rival
New York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York, New York, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in a 2–1 Islander victory.
Philadelphia Flyers
Prior to the start of the 2008-09
NHLThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league as a joint venture for its self perpetuating membership of 30 franchised member clubs located in the United States and Canada...
season, Berard was invited to training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers. He wasn't offered a contract despite tallying 2 assists in Philadelphia's final game in the legendary
Wachovia SpectrumThe Wachovia Spectrum The Wachovia Spectrum The Wachovia Spectrum (formerly known as the Spectrum (1967–1994), CoreStates Spectrum (1994–1998) and First Union Spectrum (1998–2003) is an indoor arena located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as part of the South Philadelphia Sports...
vs. an NHL team, the
Carolina HurricanesThe Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
. The Flyers won 4-1.
European career
He moved on November 16, 2008 to
Vityaz ChekhovHC Vityaz Chekhov is a professional ice hockey team based in Chekhov, Moscow, Russia. They are members of the Tarasov division of the Kontinental Hockey League.-History:...
of the
Kontinental Hockey LeagueThe Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008 and ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL). He scored 17 points in 25 games played.
Awards
- NHL All-Rookie Team
The NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
, 1997
- Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The award has been awarded 72 times since its beginnings in 1937...
, 1997
- Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one...
, 2004
Career statistics
| |
|
Regular season |
|
Playoffs |
| Season In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1st through October 1st; in European football , it is generally from August until May In an...
|
Team |
League |
GP |
G A goal in ice hockey provides a team with one point. Unlike in American football, where a touchdown is scored if any part of the football crosses any part of the goal line, in ice hockey the entire puck must completely cross the goal line for a goal to be awarded.-Method of scoring:The object of...
|
A In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal...
|
Pts Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player who either scores a goal or earns an assist during a game. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one...
|
PIMA penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes during which the player can not participate in play...
|
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
PIM |
| 1994–95 The 1994–95 OHL season was the 15th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Sixteen teams each played 66 games. The Detroit Junior Red Wings won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Guelph Storm...
|
Detroit Junior Red Wings |
OHLThe Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
|
58 |
20 |
55 |
75 |
97 |
21 |
4 |
20 |
24 |
38 |
| 1995–96 The 1995–96 OHL season was the 16th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Seventeen teams each played 66 games. The Peterborough Petes won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Guelph Storm. The Detroit Junior Red Wings become the Detroit Whalers.-Notes:...
|
Detroit WhalersThe Detroit Whalers were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League for two seasons from 1995 to 1997. The Whalers were based in the greater Detroit, Michigan area.-History:...
|
OHL |
56 |
31 |
58 |
89 |
116 |
17 |
7 |
18 |
25 |
41 |
| 1996–97 |
New York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
|
NHLThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league as a joint venture for its self perpetuating membership of 30 franchised member clubs located in the United States and Canada...
|
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 LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
|
NHL |
38 |
5 |
14 |
19 |
22 |
17 |
1 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
| 1999–00 |
Toronto Maple Leafs |
NHL |
64 |
3 |
27 |
30 |
42 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 2001–02 |
New York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York, New York, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
|
NHL |
82 |
2 |
21 |
23 |
60 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 2002–03 |
Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, entering the league as the first United States-based expansion franchise...
|
NHL |
80 |
10 |
28 |
38 |
64 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
| 2003–04 |
Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won three Stanley Cup Championships and thirteen division titles since their founding in 1926...
|
NHL |
58 |
13 |
34 |
47 |
53 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 2005–06 |
Columbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . Preceded in Ohio's capital by the Columbus Chill of the ECHL, the Blue Jackets were founded as an...
|
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 The 2008–09 KHL season was the inaugural season of the Kontinental Hockey League. It started on September 2, 2008, and finished on February 26, 2009...
|
Vityaz ChekhovHC Vityaz Chekhov is a professional ice hockey team based in Chekhov, Moscow, Russia. They are members of the Tarasov division of the Kontinental Hockey League.-History:...
|
KHL |
25 |
3 |
14 |
17 |
103 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| NHL totals |
619 |
76 |
247 |
323 |
500 |
20 |
2 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
| KHL totals |
25 |
3 |
14 |
17 |
103 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
External links