Vancouver Island’s Ben Berard is heading back to Abbotsford with a little extra hardware and plenty of bragging rights.
Stepping in for Kirill Kudryavtsev, who was sidelined by a high ankle sprain, Berard represented the Abbotsford Canucks at the AHL All-Star festivities in Rockford, Illinois.
Berard first grabbed headlines during Tuesday’s Skills Competition. Taking part in the Upper Deck Breakaway Relay, he went one-on-one against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov and delivered one of the viral highlight-reel goals of the night.
With a smooth scoop-and-lift motion, the Duncan, BC native shovelled the puck to the top corner, drawing a roar from the crowd and instant buzz across social media.
THE HANDS FROM BEN BERARD OH MY GOODNESS@abbycanucks | #AHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/cWz4Zvwed9
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) February 11, 2026
He made his mark on day two, as well. Suiting up for Team Pacific during Wednesday’s All-Star Challenge at the BMO Harris Bank Center, Berard continued his momentum with a two-goal, three-assist performance through four mini 3-on-3 games. His contributions helped Team Pacific secure its third All-Star Challenge title in four years, capped by a 3–1 victory over the Central Division in the final.
The event consisted of three round-robin games, with each team facing each other once. With a 2-1 record, Pacific earned a spot in the finals. Taking on the Central, they faced the lone team that had beaten them on the round-robin slate.
Berard’s fingerprints were all over the tournament. He recorded a secondary assist in the opening game, connecting on a crisp passing play with Tanner Laczynski and former Vancouver Canuck Jayson Megna.
Ben Berard gets the assist on Jayson Megna’s second goal! @ColoradoEagles @HSKnights pic.twitter.com/e9csQgPQKY
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) February 12, 2026
In Game Two against the Atlantic Division, Berard opened the scoring before adding another secondary assist just 30 seconds later. On his goal, he took a quick pass from Megna in tight, shifted to his forehand, and snapped it over the goaltender’s shoulder in one fluid motion.
BENNY ON THE BOARD! pic.twitter.com/jeEM8mRpEA
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) February 12, 2026
The Megna–Berard connection surfaced again in the championship game, where Berard opened the scoring and later added a primary assist on the insurance marker to seal the 3–1 win.
With the victory, Berard became the third Abbotsford representative to win the All-Star Challenge. Arshdeep Bains captured the MVP award in 2024 en route to a title, while Christian Wolanin won with Team Pacific in 2023.
Confirmed: Pacific Division is a FORCE!
Ben Berard wrapped up the night with 2 goals and 3 assists! pic.twitter.com/fTGFMIG7Dy
— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) February 12, 2026
Now back in Abbotsford, Berard will rejoin a club preparing to host the Ontario Reign for a two-game set over the long weekend. He returns as one of the team’s offensive leaders, co-leading the Canucks with 23 points on the season.
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