Berard Vows To Play Again

April 5, 2000 / 7:46 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Bryan Berard, blind in one eye but hoping to return to hockey, does not plan to wear a visor if he makes it back to the NHL.

"I don't like to wear a visor," said Berard, a red scar snaking below his right eye.

The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, wearing sunglasses, appeared at a news conference Wednesday in his first public remarks since his March 11 injury. He was accidentally hit in the eye with a hockey stick blade by Ottawa's Marian Hossa.

Berard's mother Pam wiped away tears as her 23-year-old son discussed his recovery. She was accompanied by her husband, Wally Berard, wearing a Maple Leafs jacket.

"My life is hockey and it is a tough time for me right now because I don't know if I will get back on the ice," Berard said. "But I believe I will."

Doctors are uncertain if the former rookie of the year will regain sight in his right eye. The NHL bars players with sight in just one eye.

Berard was not wearing a visor when he was injured during the game at Ottawa. He was left with a cut cornea, detached retina and fractured orbital bone. The retina was reattached during a 4 1/2-hour operation March 21.

Berard said he doesn't blame Hossa and thinks his injury would have happened even with additional protection.

His injury sparked debate about visors and whether the league and union should make them mandatory. Hockey visors can extend as far as the lip.

The spectacle of Berard lying in a pool of blood persuaded some players to wear a visor. But many others say the threat of injury is part of the game.

"I think that's up to the player," Berard said. "If a guy feels more comfortable on the ice wearing a visor, good."

"I mean we're professional athletes. I think we can make that choice. I'm for and I'm not for visors. I'm kind of in the middle."

Berard, who was born in Rhode Island and played for the United States at the 1998 Olympics, understands that doctors might tell him to leave hockey.

"I'm still young," he said. "I'm going to give this the hardest fight of my life to get back on the ice. But if not, there is something out there for me."

In 64 games this season, Berard had three goals and 27 assists. The Leafs struggled after his injury, losing five of six games. Now, instead of preparing for the playoffs, Berard faces rounds of medical appointments and more surgery.

The next step is to remove the liquid from the eye doctors put in to stabilize the retina. If all goes well there will be another procedure to insert a new lens.

"I can see light, and it seems as the days go the light is getting stronger i my eye," he said. "We hope that's a good sign."

In any case, he is heartened by his faith and family and the support of the Maple Leafs. And he is confident he can play again.

"Whatever the timetable is, one year, two years, three years. I'm ready to wait," he said. "If in five or six years maybe they discover some new way to regain vision that's one thing I have going for me."

Berard says he misses the camaraderie the most.

"That's been the toughest thing," he said. "Just going out for dinner and hanging out with the guys. I want to get back to Toronto and be with my teammates."

In the meantime, he says he's prepared for anything.

"I think there's a plan in life," he said. "This is just an obstacle I have to get through."