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Rooting for Berard
Sportswriters aren't supposed to root for teams or players, at least not the ones we write about. No cheering in the press box, no clapping when the home team scores, no bias or partisanship. These are the unwritten rules of the trade. But rules are made to be broken, and this year I'll be rooting unabashedly for New York Rangers defenseman Bryan Berard, who's attempting the most difficult and improbable of comebacks at age 24. Nineteen months ago, while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Berard nearly lost his right eye to an accidental high stick by Marian Hossa of the Ottawa Senators. His eyeball ruptured and, in essence, spilled out all over the ice. It was something of a medical miracle that his eye was saved, which it was after several operations. But few believed Berard would ever play professional hockey again. Among those who were psychologically traumatized by the accident was the shy Slovakian Hossa, just 21 at the time, who will carry a burden of guilt for the rest of his life. Berard had hoped to make his comeback late last season, in time to get in shape for the playoffs. But it wasn't to be. The vision in his injured eye was still far, far below the minimum standard of 20/400 set by the NHL. He couldn't even see the big E on the top of the eye chart. So he announced his retirement and began making plans to coach, to be an agent or maybe a broadcaster. Financially, he was set, collecting some $6.5 million, tax free, in disability from his insurance company. Without bitterness, he was preparing for the rest of his life. But Berard never gave up on his dreams of a comeback, and when his vision stabilized this summer and a sophisticated contact lens enabled him to pass his NHL physical last week, Berard, an unrestricted free agent, signed a four-year, $11.75 million contract with the Rangers. Since the club can pick up the option on the final three years of the deal at its discretion, Berard is taking a risk financially. Once he plays 20 games, Berard must return the insurance money he collected last spring. But anyone who's met him knows Berard isn't motivated by money. He wants to play, and there's only one way to tell if he's still able to compete at the NHL level. Go for it. Can Berard return to the form that made him the first overall choice in the 1995 amateur draft? In a word, no. That player was an offensive defenseman, a rusher and a playmaker. Playmakers need great vision, and, lens or no lens, Berard's right eye is seriously impaired. He'll be wearing a protective face shield, which will further distort his vision. Depth perception will be a constant challenge for him, and he'll probably have a blind spot on his right side. Will he be able to pick up a puck in his skates while battling a forechecker? Will he be able to slap a bouncing puck out of the air? Will he be able to find the breaking wing for an outlet pass the instant he is open? Time will tell. Of course, it's also possible that Berard will be a better player than he was before he was injured. A better defenseman, that is, one who plays within his limits, controls his side of the ice, and punishes any opponent who skates near him with the puck. A stay-at-home defenseman. Word is he'll be playing alongside Brian Leetch, an ironic pairing given that Berard's offensive skills were once compared to Leetch's. Well, Leetch could use some toughness beside him at the blue line, and Berard has always been tough. A tough kid with smarts and a sense of purpose will go a long way in the NHL. So it might work out. I'll certainly be pulling for him. So will Marian Hossa. So will anyone who's ever had to overcome adversity. Think Bryan Berard might be popular in New York? Sports Illustrated senior writer E.M. Swift is a frequent contributor to CNNSI.com.
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