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One step closer Leafs' Berard has retina reattached successfully
Posted: Tuesday March 21, 2000 10:18 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- The retina in Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bryan Berard's right eye was successfully reattached in a 4 1/2-hour surgical procedure Tuesday, the NHL team said. "Dr. Stanley Chang was able to reattach the severely damaged retina," Pat Park, the Leafs' manager of media relations, said in a recorded message. "No further information was available." The surgery was performed at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center by Dr. Stanley Chang. Berard's agent, Tom Laidlaw, was not immediately available for comment. Berard, a former NHL rookie of the year and U.S. Olympian, was accidentally hit in the face by Marian Hossa's stick blade during Toronto's 4-2 victory March 11 in Ottawa. The 23-year-old, who was not wearing a visor, crumpled to his knees. A large pool of blood formed on the ice as team personnel rushed to his aid. He suffered a cut cornea, detached retina and the orbital bone surrounding the eye was fractured. Doctors have said they are uncertain if Berard would regain the sight in his eye even if the retina was reattached. Berard was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1995 draft but, after the Woonsocket, R.I., product refused to play for Ottawa, the Senators traded him to the New York Islanders. He played for a Detroit junior team in the OHL, and he was defenseman of the year in Canadian junior hockey in 1996. He stepped up to the NHL and made an immediate impression, earning the Calder Trophy in 1997 as top rookie. Toronto acquired Berard for goaltender Felix Potvin on Jan. 9, 1999. In 64 games this season, Berard had three goals and 27 assists.
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