New York Rangers prospect Brett Berard has a special friendship with Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers dating back from when they were children.
Growing up, Berard and Beniers were best friends as the two played hockey alongside each other throughout their childhood.
Despite being a part of different NHL franchises now, Berard and Beniers still both spent the summer in Boston training together.
“It was awesome,” Berard said. “He’s been my friend pretty much my whole life. I’ve been playing hockey with him since I was six, seven-years-old. We played on every team from that all the way until college. We were linemates for years, so it was awesome. I know how he works, it’s just cool to learn the things he’s learned in his first couple years pro and in the NHL.”
Following their youth playing years, Berard went to Providence College while Beniers played at the University of Michigan.
Their careers took two totally different paths.
Beniers was selected with the second overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Kraken and he won Calder Trophy in his first season in the NHL, which helped him recently earn a seven-year $50 million contract.
While Berard’s path may have not been as flashy, he has slowly begun to rise up the ranks as a prospect with legitimate NHL potential.
In that same 2020 draft, the Rangers picked Berard in the fifth round and after playing a few years at Providence, the 22-year-old had an impressive first season with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL as he recorded 25 goals, 23 assists and 48 points in 71 games.
Berard now has a chance to crack the Rangers’ opening night roster and he continues to take major steps in his development.
They may play for teams that are across the country from each other, but distance could never break the bond that Berard and Beniers share.
