With their second fifth round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Rangers took forward Brett Berard. This pick was actually the Rangers’ original pick in the draft. The scouting report on Brett Berard is an undersized but talented forward who is deceptively good for his size.
This season, the 5’9, 152 lb forward put up 16-18-34 in 41 games with the USNDTP. He’s committed to Providence College if/when college hockey resumes.
I am no draft expert. I did a lot of Googling and Youtubing. You should be checking out sites like Future Considerations, Elite Prospects, Dobber Hockey, and others on Twitter (@SternScouting, @aj_ranger, @ManUtdTobbe, and I’m sure I missed a bunch).
Scouting Report
When you’re as small as Berard, you have to be a great skater, and Berard is just that. Berard has excellent top speed and acceleration, making him tough to match up against. One of the more surprising aspects of his game is his strength on the puck. He’s not big, but he’s strong and has strong legs. Strength will be a factor at the next level, so he will need to continue to get stronger.
Offensively, his hands keep up with his skates, something that makes him dangerous in the offensive zone. He’s another prospect that sees the ice and reads the play well. He’s a solid playmaker, but he also looks to shoot the puck. He’s got a quick, accurate release that will only get better as he gets stronger.
Berard also has a nose for the net and isn’t afraid of board and physical play. This again bodes well for when he adds more muscle to his frame.
Projections
Berard has the skill to be a top-six forward. If he were bigger, he likely would’ve been a top-60 pick. Just a reminder that the following players are 5’9″ and under 190 lbs: Brad Marchand, Mats Zuccarello, Ryan Callahan, and Tyler Johnson. That’s just a few of them too. It’s about strength and skill.
The scouting report on Brett Berard shows he has the skill. Don’t sleep on him because he’s underweight at 18 years old.
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