Why Brett Berard is the Future of the New York Rangers

If you're looking for a silver lining in a brutal New York Rangers season, look no further than Brett Berard. The fifth-round pick from 2020 has fought his way through a 2021 World Junior Gold Medal with team USA, the NCAA's Providence Friars, and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, and into the NHL. He's been a welcome spark every night—playing with a grit and determination that's a throwback to old-school hockey.

It's only been 15 NHL games, but his skating speed, physicality, and power-forward mentality have earned Berard's trust from head coach Peter Laviolette, who has slotted him alongside Filip Chytil and Will Cuylle. The trio has injected life into the team, and Berard's confidence grows with every game he plays.

Take his memorable maiden goal at Madison Square Garden against the Boston Bruins in the last-place Blueshirts 2-1 victory on Thursday. With the Rangers on a two-on-one rush, Berard made the decision to keep the puck, sniping it top corner past Bruins goaltender and USA Four Nations Cup Selection Jeremy Swayman, giving New York a 2-0 lead. His emphatic knee-slide celebration said it all for a young player starting to make his mark.

It wasn't the first time Berard scored that way. In November, his first NHL goal in a 4-3 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes was eerily similar—another two-on-one, another confident decision to shoot, and another puck in the back of the net.

He credits veteran goalie Jonathan Quick, who made 32 saves on the night for his 399th career win, for helping him adjust to life in the NHL.

"Every day I come to the rink, first one to say hi," Berard said. "He's always with us, the young guys, ensuring we fit in. He's a legend, and it's pretty cool to learn from someone like that."

And this makes sense, with fellow young-player Matt Rempe also being taken under Quick's wing and living with his family.

The 22-year-old's three goals are great, his feisty, high-energy play stands out. Berard wins battles in the corners, makes life miserable for opponents on the forecheck, and does the little things coaches love, like blocking shots and throwing hits.

For a last-place team struggling to find a consistent identity, Berard embodies everything they need to rebuild: heart, hustle, and a willingness to outwork anyone. If he keeps developing at this pace, it's hard not to see him as a key piece of the Rangers' future and a fan-favorite.