Rangers Prospect Brett Berard ANGRY About Being Sent Back to AHL
HARTFORD, Conn. − Brett Berard spent nearly two months living his NHL dream with the New York Rangers, experiencing the thrill of playing at Madison Square Garden and scoring his first goal in front of the home crowd. However, that dream came to an abrupt halt when he was reassigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack on January 11, a decision that left the 22-year-old forward frustrated but motivated to prove himself.
“It didn’t even really hit me until I got back down here,” Berard admitted after a recent practice with Hartford. “It was kind of all real at that time.”
For Berard, the transition back to the AHL was jarring. Playing in 19 NHL games and tallying two goals and three assists, he had started to feel at home in the big league. But his return to Hartford was met with a quick reality check—there was no time to dwell on disappointment. The Wolf Pack had a game the next day, forcing Berard to shift his focus immediately.
“When they’re telling you you’re coming back here, it stinks in the moment,” he said. “But it’s an awesome organization. I’m still young, still trying to build upon my game, and I got thrown right back in with Hartford. We played that Sunday. I got sent down Saturday, so there wasn’t too much time to dwell on that. Every game, every practice down here, they’re always watching, so you’ve got to play your best.”
Wolf Pack head coach Grant Potulny has been impressed with Berard’s approach, noting that his attitude and effort have remained unwavering despite the demotion.
“With Brett, you’re never concerned about effort or preparation or energy,” Potulny said. “It’s every shift, and that’s how he practices. It’s in the weight room. It’s just what he knows. He’s just one of those guys. That’s what he does every time, all the time.”
Berard’s play in the AHL has been strong since his return. Before suffering an injury on January 25 that sidelined him for four games, he was riding a three-game point streak. Since returning to action, he has picked up four points in his last two games, including the go-ahead goal in Hartford’s 4-2 win over Lehigh Valley.
“You’re starting to see that speed that he’s got,” Potulny said. “You’re starting to see those scoring chances. He plays a lot of minutes for us, and he’s never lacking energy.”
Berard has already established himself as a reliable offensive contributor at the AHL level. This season, he has recorded 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 25 games, following a breakout 2023-24 campaign in which he led Hartford with 25 goals. He also flashed his offensive abilities during his NHL stint, with notable moments including a goal in his second career game against Carolina and his first Madison Square Garden goal against the team he grew up rooting for, the Boston Bruins.
“That was something pretty crazy,” Berard recalled with a smile.
While those memories are cherished, his focus now is on refining his game to earn another NHL opportunity. The young winger has identified key areas where he needs improvement, particularly in defensive play and board battles.
“The thing for me was kind of the wall play and the D zone,” he explained. “Every (defenseman) in that league is unbelievable. They come down and crash on you. It’s hard. They’re strong, they’re big, and I think that was the biggest thing that I noticed – the difference between here and there. I want to continue building on my defensive play, too. There’s some games I probably want back a little bit, but I’m still young. It’s all a learning process, so just to take everything and then apply it down here.”
Drafted in the fifth round in 2020, Berard has defied the odds to reach this point. Despite standing just 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, his speed and relentless motor have made him an intriguing prospect. His NHL stint, however, exposed areas that still need fine-tuning. His minus-eight rating and underlying metrics suggest he must improve his possession and defensive awareness to secure a permanent role in the Rangers’ lineup.
New York endured a tough stretch while Berard was on the roster, going 4-15 over that span. But despite the struggles, he gained invaluable experience and insight into what it takes to stick at the highest level. With the Rangers potentially making roster moves before the March 7 trade deadline, Berard could get another opportunity sooner rather than later.
“You try to be as prepared as possible going up there, but you don’t really know what you need to work on until you experience it,” he said. “I’m more focused on the games, watching more and more video, so if I do get another crack at it, I can be better in those areas.”
Berard’s determination is evident, and while he may have been frustrated by his reassignment, he’s using it as fuel to improve. With his relentless work ethic and continued development, his next NHL opportunity could come sooner than expected.
