Ben Berard Converts ATO to AHL Deal with Texas

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

Texas has signed yet another AHL ATO into a one-year AHL deal with the announcement of Ben Berard on a contract for the coming season. The forward played a pair of regular season games with Texas and was part of the black ace crew from there.

Berard will be a part of a young forward crew as Texas cycles many of their veterans either up or out. Texas awaits the July 1 opening of free agency to learn more about how their roster will be constructed this coming season.

Here's the release:

The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, announced today the club signed forward Ben Berard to a one-year AHL contract through the 2023-24 season.

Berard, 24, joined the Stars in March on an amateur tryout after completing his college career at Cornell University. He made his professional debut Apr. 7 in a 7-3 win at Tucson and recorded his first point Apr. 16 with an assist in a 5-2 loss to Iowa.

Prior to turning pro, Berard led the Big Red with 11 goals and finished second with 28 points (11-17—28) in 34 games last season, helping the school reach the NCAA Tournament. He compiled 68 points (32-36—68) in 87 career games at Cornell from 2019-2023. 

The 6-foot, 191-pound native of Duncan, British Columbia was originally undrafted and played three seasons for the British Columbia Hockey League’s Powell River Kings before attending Cornell.