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New York Rangers forgotten players A-Z: The B’s

By Michael DeRosa

27 Nov 2001: Defenseman Bryan Berard #34 of the New York Rangers skates on the ice during the NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Rangers and Sabres skated to a 2-2 tie. \ Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2001 NHLI\ Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Getty Images/NHLI
27 Nov 2001: Defenseman Bryan Berard #34 of the New York Rangers skates on the ice during the NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Rangers and Sabres skated to a 2-2 tie. \ Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2001 NHLI\ Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Getty Images/NHLI /
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27 Nov 2001: Defenseman Bryan Berard #34 of the New York Rangers skates on the ice during the NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Rangers and Sabres skated to a 2-2 tie. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2001 NHLI Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Getty Images/NHLI
27 Nov 2001: Defenseman Bryan Berard #34 of the New York Rangers skates on the ice during the NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Rangers and Sabres skated to a 2-2 tie. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2001 NHLI Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Getty Images/NHLI /

Bryan Berard D

Former first overall pick Bryan Berard played the 2001-02 season with the Rangers. This came after he missed the entirety of the 2000-01 season due to sustaining serious eye injuries from the season before. After being clipped in the right eye by then Ottawa Senator Marian Hossa’s stick, Berard suffered a retinal tear and detached retina. This would also result in him having significant vision loss in that eye.

However, through hard determination, Berard was able to return to the league and signed a professional tryout contract with the Rangers. His impressive play at camp resulted in him signing a one-year, $2 million deal that also came with two one-year team options. Yet, the Rangers released him after just the one season. In 82 games with the team, he scored two goals and had 23 points. That was solid production for a defenseman who just suffered a life-changing injury and most thought wouldn’t be able to play again. However, it was still not enough for the Rangers to keep him around.

After his time with the Rangers, he joined the Boston Bruins and had 38 points in 80 games. In 58 games the following season with the Chicago Blackhawks, he scored 13 goals and had 47 points. The Rangers would have loved that production had they kept him around, but there’s no way to tell if he would have done the same in New York.

For a player who experienced such a serious injury, he had a pretty lengthy career, too. In 619 career games over 10 seasons, he had 76 goals, 247 assists and 323 points. Honestly, that warrants a lot of respect.

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