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Eyeing a return After successful camp, Berard considers a comeback
Updated: Thursday September 20, 2001 9:34 PM OTTAWA (AP) -- Bryan Berard is considering a comeback to the NHL from a serious eye injury following a successful stint at the U.S. Olympic team evaluation camp. The 24-year-old Toronto defenseman's career was thought to be finished after he sustained severe damage to his right eye when accidentally struck by Marian Hossa's stick in a 2000 game in Ottawa. While he officially retired last March, qualifying for a $6 million disability insurance payment that he has yet to touch, Berard never gave up hope of returning.
After practicing with NHL and college players near his Woonsocket, R.I., home in August, and then being invited to skate with hopefuls for the U.S. Olympic team in Colorado Springs, Colo., Berard still thinks he can play in the league. "Yes, Bryan feels good about how things went at the Olympic camp, but there are still a few hurdles to clear," said Berard's agent, Tom Laidlaw. Before that could happen, Berard, who has already undergone seven eye surgeries, also would need to have a special contact lens inserted in his right eye to improve his vision. His current 20/600 vision -- seeing something in his right eye at 20 feet that someone with normal vision would see at 600 feet -- falls below the league bylaw requiring all players to have eyesight of 20/400 or better.
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