Bryan Berard

After emerging as a star in the OHL with the Detroit Junior Red Wings/Detroit Whalers, Bryan Berard was drafted by the Ottawa Senators 1st overall in the 1995 NHL draft.  After scoring 48 points from the blue line as a New York Islanders rookie, Berard won the 1997 Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year.  In 2000, while a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Berard suffered a serious eye injury after being clipped by Marian Hossa’s stick.   His right eye was severely slashed sclera, which resulted in a retinal tear and detached retina.  Despite suffering such a horrific injury that many considered career ending, Bryan was determined to play in the NHL again.  After many surgeries that resulted in his vision in the eye being improved to 20/600, and being fit with a special contact lens, Bryan made the New York Rangers out of training camp, and played in all 82 games during the 2001-02 season.  For his courageous comeback, Bryan was awarded the 2004 Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy.  Bryan also played for the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and enjoyed a second stint with the Islanders before playing a final season in the KHL.  He currently lives in Lincoln, Rhode Island and was a contestant on CBC’s Battle of The Blades in 2011.