New York Rangers sign prospect Brett Berard, will report to Wolf Pack
The New York Rangers announced the signing of 2020 fifth-round draft pick Brett Berard to a three-year entry level contract starting next season (2023-24).
Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
In addition, the Hartford Wolf Pack have signed him to an amateur tryout for the remainder of the season. He will report to the Pack for their playoff stretch run.
New York Rangers sign Brett Berard
Berard, 20, played three seasons at Providence College finishing with 33 goals, 39 assists, and 72 points in 91 career games.
In his final year with the Friars, the speedy forward registered 10 goals and 24 points in 36 contests.
At 5’9″ and 165 pounds, he can play an agitating style to get under opponents’ skin. Berard made a name for himself at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship winning Gold with Team USA. He recorded one goal and four helpers in seven tournament matches.
“I’ve been working towards this my whole life,” Berard said about being drafted in 2021. “That day to finally come and see my name on TV is something I will never forget. Being home with my mom and dad, it was awesome. It was pretty crazy.”
Wolf Pack GM, Ryan Martin is very familiar with Berard and his game. Martin worked with Team USA and helped put together the junior team that won Gold including lobbying hard to have Berard added to the squad.
“A lot of people say that [the WJC] is a 19-year-old tournament. I don’t believe that,” Martin told The Athletic. “I believe that if you’re good, the best players are going to have success there, and the evaluation group was really impressed that Brett as an 18-year-old was not intimidated by the older kids and not taking a back seat at all. And he stepped up right away.”
More About:New York Rangers Features New York Rangers News