When you’re a young prospect grinding in the minors, you'll do anything you can to stick in the NHL.
Rangers youngster Brett Berard revealed on Thursday at the third annual Shoulder Check Showcase in Stamford that he battled through a torn labrum suffered just four games into his debut.
The 22-year-old did miss three games right after the injury occurred against the Montreal Canadiens, but he quickly made his way back into the lineup in an effort to not waste his opportunity.
“I was out for about a week or so,” he told Mollie Walker of the NY Post. “It’s one of those things where you’re up in the NHL, you work your whole life for it. I felt like I was playing good hockey too, so you don’t really want to lose that -- just tried to play through it.”
Berard did have to wear a brace on his shoulder the rest of the way, but he went on to appear in a total of 35 games during his rookie campaign.
Despite the physical limitations, the youngster showed some positive signs, as he provided a much-needed spark to New York’s bottom-six with his all-out style of play on both ends of the ice.
He finished the year with six goals, four assists, 29 blocked shot, 53 hits, and 59 shots on goal.
Berard performed well enough to crack Team USA’s roster for the World Championships, but ultimately ended up sitting out of the tournament with the injury -- the team went on to win gold for the first time since 1933.
“It definitely stunk sitting out,” he said. “It makes you a little bit jealous, but I know a ton of those guys, a lot of them I'm best friends with, so I was rooting for everybody and it was awesome to see them win gold there.”
The youngster didn’t require offseason surgery, so after taking the past couple of months to fully recovery and continue his training, he’s back to 100 percent heading into training camp.
This camp is shaping up to a huge one for Berard, who has spoken with new head coach Mike Sullivan several times since he’s been hired, but is still awaiting his opportunity to show what he can do on the ice.
The hope is now that he is fully healthy, he’ll be able to take his game to another level.
“You only get one tryout, you get one first impression,” Berard said. “So it’s kind of all in -- I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason, so I feel like if I put myself in the best position I can that I’ll be good.”