Brett Berard will be competing for a spot on the New York Rangers’ opening night roster in training camp.
Berard stood out during both rookie camp and training camp for the Rangers last year, as he almost made the team before ultimately being one of the final cuts to be sent down to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
Eventually, Berard got his chance with the Rangers during the 2024-25 season. He played 35 games, recording six goals, four assists, and 10 points while averaging 10:43 minutes.
The 22-year-old even played parts of the season with a torn labrum in his shoulder.
After showing signs of promise, Berard will have an opportunity to carve out a permanent spot with the Blueshirts.
It will be a battle for Berard though. He’ll be competing with other players for a roster spot, including Brennan Othmann, Gabe Perreault, Juuso Parssinen, and Conor Sheary.
There’s a world where Berard starts the season in the AHL, but he’s been gearing himself up to become a full-time NHL’er.
“I’ve put on some weight so far, so that’s been good,” Berard said. “But I just need to treat it like a first impression. Even though I’ve been in the organization for a few years now, it’s a new coaching staff… I want to show what I can do right from the start.
“I’ve worked on a lot of rims and (defensive) zone and stuff like that to get more comfortable,” Berard said. “Anything can happen. I’m preparing for all outcomes.”
