Ben Berard Seizes the Spotlight with Dazzling Goal at AHL All-Star Challenge
Ben Berard didn’t just show up to the AHL All-Star Challenge - he made sure everyone knew his name by the end of the night.
Stepping in for Kirill Kudryavtsev, who was sidelined with a high ankle sprain, Berard got the call to represent the Abbotsford Canucks at the midseason showcase. And he didn’t waste a second of the opportunity. In the Upper Deck Breakaway Relay, Berard delivered a moment that had fans, teammates, and even the broadcast crew buzzing.
Matched up one-on-one against Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Sergei Murashov, Berard skated in with the kind of poise that belied the stage. Then came the magic: a smooth scoop and a perfectly placed loft into the top corner.
It was the kind of goal that turns heads - not just because of the skill, but because of the confidence behind it. That move wasn’t just for show; it was a statement.
While Berard had already taken part in the Inglasco Puck Control Relay earlier in the evening, it was that highlight-reel finish in the breakaway event that stole the show.
The Eastern Conference ultimately edged out the Western Conference in a high-scoring affair, 18-15. But Berard’s goal was one of the lasting images from the night - a snapshot of a player making the most of his moment.
Quietly, Berard has been doing that all season for Abbotsford. Signed to an AHL deal, he’s become a steady offensive presence, co-leading the team with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) through 45 games. And he’s done it during a season of transition - injuries, call-ups to Vancouver, and roster turnover have tested the Canucks’ depth, but Berard has been a consistent contributor through it all.
“It’s definitely an honour to represent the whole team and the guys in there,” Berard said, reflecting on the moment before heading to Rockford, Illinois, for the All-Star festivities.
With his selection, Berard became just the fifth player in Abbotsford Canucks history to earn a spot at the AHL All-Star Classic - and only the second to hail from British Columbia. That’s no small feat, especially for a player who wasn’t originally slated to be there.
Abbotsford’s All-Star legacy is still young but growing. Last season, defenseman Elias Pettersson was named to the team but missed the event due to a call-up to Vancouver, with Ty Mueller stepping in as his replacement. Forward Arshdeep Bains represented the club in 2024, and Christian Wolanin was the franchise’s first-ever All-Star back in 2023.
Now, Berard adds his name to that list - and does so with a signature moment already under his belt.
Next up: the All-Star Challenge itself, set for Wednesday, February 11 at the BMO Harris Bank Center, home of the Rockford IceHogs. The format features eight-minute 3-on-3 games between the four divisions - Pacific, North, Atlantic, and Central - with the top two advancing to the championship round.
If Berard brings the same flair he showed in the breakaway relay, don’t be surprised if he makes another headline or two.