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.