Bryan Berard: The Forgotten Franchise Player

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
-John Wooden

There is no better quote on the planet that could describe the career of former NHL defenseman Bryan Berard.

Bryan Berard was originally drafted first overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1995 NHL entry draft. Shortly thereafter, Berard, who had scored 31 goals and 58 assists as a member of the OHL Detroit Whalers prior to the draft, informed the Senators that he would not report to the team.

As a result of his refusal to join the Senators, Berard, along with Martin Straka, was traded to the New York Islanders for defenseman Wade Redden and goaltender Don Beaupre.

With the scandal of his refusal to play for the Senators behind him, Berard entered the 1996-97 NHL season as a member of the upstart New York Islanders.

Berard did not disappoint, scoring 8 goals and adding 40 assists, while posting 86 penalty minutes. His poise with the puck while in the offensive zone was well documented and his skating ability was off the charts, clearly Berard came as advertised, a legitimate top tier defenseman, a legitimate franchise player, or was he?

Berard was rewarded for his strong first year effort by being awarded the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year. His 48 points would be the most he would score in his 11 year NHL career; curious that a player with so much potential would peak in his first full NHL season.

The following season, 1997-98, Berard would score 14 times and added 32 assists, good enough for 46 points. Offensively, Berard was quickly establishing himself as one of the NHL’s premier defensmen, but he struggled in his own zone and his discipline and decision making in his own zone was often questioned.

The following season, 1998-99, Berard would fall out of favor in New York. The Islanders, who had a reputation for having very little patience with their younger players, decided to trade Berard to the Toronto Maple Leafs for veteran netminder Felix “The Cat” Potvin.

The arrival of goaltender Curtis Joseph to Toronto had made Potvin expendable. The  question was, what made the Islanders give up on a young talented defenseman, regardless of his minor shortcomings?

Fact is, giving up on Berard was a complete mystery to many in NHL circles. Sure, Berard had his faults, but at just 22 years of age, and with huge upside and untapped potential, were the Islanders giving up on Berard too soon?

In 38 games with the Leafs Berard scored five goals and 14 assists, good enough for 19 points. His impact was bigger than the stats suggested. Berard gave the Leafs a huge boost, his ability to start the rush was of enormous value and his offensive ability made the Leafs power play better. Berard seemed to be the final piece of the puzzle.

Berard would play 17 playoff games with the Leafs that season, scoring one goal and adding eight assists for nine points. Again, the stats do not suggest Berard had a huge impact on the team, but those who watched the Leafs playoff run know Berard was an integral part of that team.

Thinking back, Berard added to an already very talented Leafs defensive corps, one that could have been amongst the NHL’s best for years to come. Danil Markov, Tomas Kaberle, Sylvain Cote, Alexander Karpotsev, made up one heck of a defensive corps. Can you imagine if the Leafs had kept Jason Smith? I digress, back to the story...

Besides Berard’s impact on the ice he was well liked by his teammates. Berard was often spotted out in the local nightclubs with the likes of Mats Sundin, Tie Domi, Todd Warriner, Darby Hendrickson, Glen Healy and others. How do I know? I was there with them a few times...The Shark Club at Yonge and Eglington comes to mind.

To the dismay of Leaf fans everywhere, the Leafs playoff run would end in defeat, losing to the hated Buffalo Sabres in the Conference Finals. Yeah, I was in Buffalo for game three, a 4-2 loss for Toronto, can’t tell you how much fun that was!

It seemed as if Berard had found a home in Toronto. His potential was endless and he was surrounded by a good mixture of veterans to keep him in line and offer experience. Great teammates, close friendships, playing in the hotbed of hockey, clearly, Berard could be a star in Toronto.

Sadly, it was not to be.

On March 11, 2000, Bryan Berard’s life and hockey career would change forever. During a regular season game, ironically against the Ottawa Senators, Berard was high-sticked by Marian Hossa. Hossa, who had a reputation for playing with an active stick, clipped Berard’s right eye, resulting in a retinal tear and a detached retina.

The result of the injury was that Doctors felt Berard would eventually lose his eye. Berard reportedly told anyone that would listen that he would play hockey again and, to his credit, after seven tough operations in 1999-2000 he improved his vision to 20/600.

Unfortunately, 20/600 did not meet the NHL’s minimum vision requirement of 20/400, so Berard eventually settled on having a lens implanted into his eye, which brought his vision up to NHL minimum standards of 20/400.

During his time away from the game Berard was awarded a $6.5 million insurance settlement. Through it all Berard remained defiantly confident that he would emerge from his surgeries and play hockey again.

True to his words, after trying out for the New York Rangers in 2002-03, Berard made the roster and signed a one year, $2 million contract. As a result of said contract Berard was forced to give up his $6.5 million insurance settlement, a gutsy move for a player with Berard’s limited visual acuity, clearly Berard’s love of the game outweighed any handicap.

Berard played in all 82 games for the Rangers, netting two goals and adding 21 assists, good enough for 23 points. Not bad for a guy that could barely see out of his right eye!

2002-03 saw Berard sign with the Boston Bruins. In 80 games Berard scored ten goals, added 28 assists, for a total of 38 points, clearly, Berard was back!

Berard switched uniforms again in 2003-2004, signing with the Chicago Blackhawks. In just 58 games Berard scored 13 goals and added 34 assists. His 47 point effort was the most he had scored since his rookie year when he netted 48 points as a member of the Islanders.

Berard would round out his 11-year NHL career as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he played just 55 games over two seasons.

In early 2006, the results of a November 2005 drug test revealed Berard had tested positive for an anabolic steroid. The NHL did not suspend Berard, but he was suspended from international competition for two years.

At the time of the test results, Berard said of the incident, “I made a mistake that resulted in suspension and, while unintentional, I take full responsibility...I am disappointed in myself.”

These days, Berard patrols the blueline for Vityaz Chekhov of the Kontinental Hockey League. In 2008-09, in just 25 games, Berard scored 17 points.

Bryan Berard had the potential to be one of the NHL’s best defensemen. Sadly, due to injury and circumstance, we will never know just how good he could have been. His heart and determination was enough for him to score 47 points in in 58 games, all with just one good eye.

To me, with that kind of heart, the sky was the limit for Berard, it’s a shame we never got the opportunity to see Berard at his best.

Until next time,

Peace!