12 year right wing Steve Bernier(37) was in New York Islanders‘ training camp on a pto looking to earn a contract with the team he’d spent 2015/2016 with.
He received his one-year two-way deal a little more than a week into the new season and was reassigned to affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers, his first time in the minors in a couple of years.
His last demotion came at the start of 2014/2015, maybe a bit as a wake up call while he was on a new 1-year extension, his fourth in New Jersey Devils‘ system.
It worked as a month later he was recalled, then ended up tying his most points in a year at 32 and came away with a new career high 16 goals.
The big forward played only 24 NHL games last season scoring a goal and 5 assists with a nifty +3 rating in limited use but then went on to appear in 6 playoff games as a veteran presence.
It’s tough to say if the 31-year old will get another look up in the show to add to his 633 total games played but regardless he’s still had a pretty nice run.
Steve Bernier(25) New Jersey Devils
7th year winger, originally a 1st round pick of San Jose Sharks in 2003 (#16 overall), Steve Bernier(25) signed an AHL contract with Albany Devils in late October.
Before this season he only ever played 59 games in the minors as a rookie and in his 3rd year.
He’s skated 385 NHL games (76 goals and 83 assists) with the Sharks, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and in 2010/2011 with Florida Panthers.
Not exactly the best totals for a former high draft selection.
At 6’3″ and 220 lbs., you got to think the 26-year old has plenty left to use that big frame and blossom into the power forward he was always pegged to become.
New Jersey Devils just stepped in and turned his contract into a big league one-year, two-way deal.
He made his 2012 NHL debut as the league reconvened post All-Star game and skated 18 shifts for 13:30 minutes of total ice, including some power play time.
He had one shot on goal and went a -1 plus/minus, which maybe wasn’t all that great but his team did win in the shootout.