Choreographer: Michael Seibert
Known for his unwavering determination, Bryan Berard has one of the greatest comeback stories in hockey history. A Rhode Island native, Bryan was the first overall pick in the 1995 NHL Draft. He played for the New York Islanders (1996-1999), the Toronto Maple Leafs (1998-2000), the New York Rangers (2001-2002), the Boston Bruins (2002-2003), the Chicago Blackhawks (2003-2004), the Columbus Blue Jackets (2005-2007) and the New York Islanders (2007-2008).
On March 11, 2000, while playing for the Leafs in a game against the Ottawa Senators, Bryan received a severe right eye injury when he was hit with a stick. After seven eye surgeries and a long recovery, Bryan returned to the NHL to play seven more seasons finishing his career with 76 goals and 247 assists. He won the Calder Trophy as the top rookie player in the NHL in 1997 and he received the Bill Masterson Trophy for his dedication to hockey in 2004.
Additional career highlights include playing on the NHL All-Star Rookie team in 1997 and playing for the U.S. in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Now retired, Bryan lives in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York, and he looks forward to Battle of the Blades as a challenge to learn something new and he plans to have fun while doing it.
D.I.F.D. is a youth-driven program focused on raising awareness and inspiring conversations about youth mental health at The Royal. Created by friends and family of Daron Richardson who lost her life to suicide at the young age of 14, D.I.F.D. is inspired by hope for a future where young people will reach out for help without fear or shame. D.I.F.D. supports programs and initiatives aimed at transforming youth mental health.
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