WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Brett Berard has displayed both a fiery passion and an admirable patience in the last six months of his hockey career, which reached the NHL level for the first time at the end of November.
He’s played 23 games with the Rangers so far this season and scored four goals, each appearing to feel like his very first based on the sheer joy that radiates off him and his jubilant celebrations.
“I don’t really know if I have the words for what I expected,” Berard told The Post on Tuesday morning from his stall in the Canada Life Centre visiting locker room, which was right next to future Hall of Fame goalie Jonathan Quick’s. “But it’s been an absolute blast being here. It’s every kid’s dream to play in the NHL, so just trying to take it all in. I really don’t know if it’s hit me to the full extent yet. It’s kind of everything you dream of.
“Trying to build off each game. Not every game is going to be perfect, but just try to take it all in and try to build and try to build confidence. It’s been good. It’s been a ton of fun.”