Isles invite Berard to training camp

[Habsfan84]

Uniondale, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Islanders announced on Thursday that free agent defenseman Bryan Berard has been invited to training camp to compete for a roster spot for the upcoming season.
Berard, who captured the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 1996-97 with the Isles, played the last two years with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Last season, the 30-year-old played in just 11 games due to surgery to repair a herniated disc.
"You can never have enough skill in your organization," said New York general manager Garth Snow. "Bryan Berard still has tremendous upside as a defenseman and a power play point man. We're happy to give him this opportunity to try and make our club."
In 565 career NHL games with the Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks and Blue Jackets, the well-traveled Berard has 71 goals and 230 assists.
Berard was originally selected first overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1995 NHL Draft and was shipped to the Islanders in 1996.