Brett Berard Has No Words To Describe This ‘Whirlwind’ Season For Himself

Brett Berard has attracted eyes from all different angles among members of the New York Rangers community this season.

Between the flashes he showed at rookie camp, his fantastic play down in the American Hockey League with the Hartford Wolf Pack and his emergence with the Rangers, it’s been a hectic season for Berard. 

While Berard didn’t make the Rangers’ opening night roster out of training camp, the 22-year-old was called up in November and played 19 games for the Blueshirts. 

Through that short stretch, Berard thrived, showcasing his impressive speed on top of a sneaky physical presence. 

The young forward recorded three goals, four assists and seven points while averaging 11:20 minutes.

He was ultimately sent back down to the Wolf Pack in January with a message from the Rangers’ brass that he truly took to heart. 

“I think the message was that I’m young, keep playing the way I play,” Berard said. “It’s part of the business too. That’s how it is, but it was all positive, to keep building on the things that I bring to the table and try to become better at those. Going down there it was definitely good to go build some confidence and be more comfortable.”

Once again, Berard was rewarded for his time in the AHL with another call-up to the NHL in March. 

Berard was frustrated when he was sent down, but didn’t allow it to faze him. In fact, he used it as a learning lesson and grew even stronger. 

“Every time you get to play in the NHL, it’s a pretty surreal feeling,” Berard said. “Especially putting on this logo playing at MSG. It's really special. Obviously getting sent down is never easy, but I tried to go down, make the most of it and take what I learned up here and apply it down there, so if I got this opportunity again I would come back better and stronger.”

Since coming back, Berard hasn’t played in every game for the Rangers as Peter Laviolette has been unafraid to scratch him out of the lineup. 

Regardless of that though, Laviolette continues to be impressed by the intensity Berard competes with each and every day. 

“It’s 12 forwards that can go in, and so, it's tough,” Laviolette said via Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today.  But he’s a young player. You can see the energy. We talk with him and work with him on the game and the defensive part of it to try and continue to grow his game and improve his game. But you’ve got to love his fire and his energy that he brings.”

Multiple months have passed since rookie camp in September and Berard has been through it all.

It’s given him time to reflect on his overall journey and what he’s learned over the biggest season of his life. 

“It’s been kind of a whirlwind, it’s been pretty crazy,” Berard said of this year. “It’s always a kid's dream to make it into the NHL. Now that I’m here, I’m just trying to take the most of it, trying to soak it all in and play my best every night, every game and every day in practice. 

“I really don’t have any words to really describe the feeling, but it’s really special.”