Rangers Recall Brett Berard, Brendan Brisson

The Rangers announced they’ve recalled forwards Brett Berard and Brendan Brisson from AHL Hartford. With multiple Blueshirts still overseas at the Winter Olympics, Berard and Brisson will serve as practice supplements before likely returning to Hartford in a few days’ time.

Berard was in contention for a full-time NHL role this year, but it didn’t pan out that way for the 23-year-old. A fifth-round pick in 2020, he got a long look last season as a second-year pro. He spent a good chunk of time in a third-line role and ended up with six goals and 10 points in 35 appearances, shooting at 10.2% while averaging 10:43 of ice time per game.

He didn’t land a roster spot out of camp, though, and has been passed over for more experienced names like Conor Sheary or higher-ceiling options like Brennan Othmann and Gabriel Perreault for call-ups and playing time. He’s seen a handful of recalls throughout the year but has struggled to make an impact, going pointless in 13 outings with a -1 rating and 17 hits.

That coincided with Berard’s production in Hartford taking a small step back as well. After a 25-goal rookie year and racking up 0.77 points per game in 2024-25, Berard’s been limited to a 6-12–18 scoring line in 34 games with the Wolf Pack with a -13 rating. At 5’9″ and 174 lbs, if he’s not producing offensively, he’s not likely to get many more NHL looks.

Brisson is in his first full season with the Rangers organization after being acquired from the Golden Knights in last year’s Reilly Smith trade deadline deal. The 24-year-old was the No. 29 overall pick in 2020 and once looked like a future top-six fixture in Vegas after an impressive collegiate performance, but his AHL production took a turn for the worse over the last couple of years.

After being limited to seven goals in 61 AHL games between Henderson and Hartford last year, though, he seems to have found more footing. Two-way play remains a concern with a team-worst -21 rating, but he’s rattled off 13 goals and 23 points in 46 games. He’s three goals and five points shy of Trey Fix-Wolansky for the team lead, and considering how much trouble the Rangers have had getting depth scoring this season, there might be another recall opportunity or two for him down the stretch.