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Relentless: My Life in Hockey and the Power of Perseverance
Former NHL star Bryan Berard shares the inspiring story of his life on and off the ice—from finding early success in the league and suffering a life-changing eye injury to discovering the inner strength to overcome whatever life threw at him and continue to play the game he loved.
“My career is over,” I said. “I’m never going to play in the NHL again.”
My mom turned to me, a stern look on her face. “‘Never’ does not exist in our family’s vocabulary.”
On March 11, 2000, Bryan Berard’s life changed forever. One moment, he was a young hockey star, a former first overall pick and Olympian who had a long, bright career ahead of him. The next, he was writhing on the ice, his eye slashed by a wayward stick.
The doctors feared Bryan might lose his eye. It seemed certain that he would never play hockey again. But ever since his childhood, Bryan had refused to believe that anything was impossible.
With the support of his family behind him and his own inner determination driving him forward, Bryan not only recovered, but made a triumphant return to the NHL just two years after his injury. It seemed that the worst was behind him.
But there were storm clouds on the horizon. Injuries continued to plague him throughout the rest of his career, which saw him move from North America to Russia to continue to play the game he loved. Reports of steroid use cast a shadow over his accomplishments. And then, just as he was about to retire, Berard learned that his long-time financial adviser had defrauded him, several other hockey stars, and others out of millions of dollars in life savings.
Despite every setback, though, Berard refused to give up. He nearly lost an eye, but he never lost sight of what was most important in his life. Funny, honest, and inspiring, Berard’s memoir is a tribute to the resilience and perseverance of the human spirit.
“My career is over,” I said. “I’m never going to play in the NHL again.”
My mom turned to me, a stern look on her face. “‘Never’ does not exist in our family’s vocabulary.”
On March 11, 2000, Bryan Berard’s life changed forever. One moment, he was a young hockey star, a former first overall pick and Olympian who had a long, bright career ahead of him. The next, he was writhing on the ice, his eye slashed by a wayward stick.
The doctors feared Bryan might lose his eye. It seemed certain that he would never play hockey again. But ever since his childhood, Bryan had refused to believe that anything was impossible.
With the support of his family behind him and his own inner determination driving him forward, Bryan not only recovered, but made a triumphant return to the NHL just two years after his injury. It seemed that the worst was behind him.
But there were storm clouds on the horizon. Injuries continued to plague him throughout the rest of his career, which saw him move from North America to Russia to continue to play the game he loved. Reports of steroid use cast a shadow over his accomplishments. And then, just as he was about to retire, Berard learned that his long-time financial adviser had defrauded him, several other hockey stars, and others out of millions of dollars in life savings.
Despite every setback, though, Berard refused to give up. He nearly lost an eye, but he never lost sight of what was most important in his life. Funny, honest, and inspiring, Berard’s memoir is a tribute to the resilience and perseverance of the human spirit.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2019
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55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 18, 2019
I remember the night Bryan lost his eye as clearly as I remember the game the Nick Kypreos ended his career in.
This is a great read it takes us from his recovery forward through more ups and downs and even a trip to Russia. Bryan`s story is that of perseverance and faith in one self to be able to go from tragedy to return the way he did is unheard of. The things he went through along the way would have made a lesser man give up.
The story is that of finding success in the face of adversary again and again in Bryans case.
I enjoyed the way the story was told from His perspective and not an outsider looking in.
Overall I feel this would be a great gift for a hockey fan, any one who enjoys the game and can remember this time in the nhl.
This is a great read it takes us from his recovery forward through more ups and downs and even a trip to Russia. Bryan`s story is that of perseverance and faith in one self to be able to go from tragedy to return the way he did is unheard of. The things he went through along the way would have made a lesser man give up.
The story is that of finding success in the face of adversary again and again in Bryans case.
I enjoyed the way the story was told from His perspective and not an outsider looking in.
Overall I feel this would be a great gift for a hockey fan, any one who enjoys the game and can remember this time in the nhl.
January 27, 2021
Wasn't bad, but very light. My bad as I didn't check the page count, but ended up as fast afternoon read. I'd say that some stories were way too short and could've been expanded more. To be fair, about half of the book was told by him on Spittin Chiclets, and that's the best part. Some small additions here, but if you hear his story, that's about what's written.
Do have to say, that since I'm recovering from injury myself, I did pick it up due to his comeback from losing eye. Definitely got some things down for myself and above all - "Never" does not exist!
Do have to say, that since I'm recovering from injury myself, I did pick it up due to his comeback from losing eye. Definitely got some things down for myself and above all - "Never" does not exist!
March 15, 2020
Quick, easy read. Interesting enough, but still felt a little light in spite of the obvious drama over his eye injury. Could have probably been livened up with a lot more fun hockey stories that for whatever reason were left out. Seasons were skimmed over fairly quickly without much depth. Needed a bit of editing here and there as well, as far as phrasing, repetition, etc.
Decent read that could have been great. 🤷♂️
Decent read that could have been great. 🤷♂️
January 14, 2020
A good account of Bryan's eye injury and the work he had to do to return to the NHL. It left me wanting a bit more detail in some sections but I am glad I read it.
May 8, 2020
This book is a very easy read. Well told story about surviving anything. Great story for any hockey fan to read.
November 23, 2020
Enjoyed the book. Fairly vanilla although his eye injury and subsequent comeback was impressive. A good book to give to a hockey fan or for a hockey fan to get from the library.
August 17, 2024
Amazing story of grit, perseverance, and family.
February 11, 2025
Review for Relentless can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews