Second year Kings forward Ben Berard has secured his collegiate future, by committing to Cornell University. The commitment is currently for the 2019/2020 season.
Berard, who celebrated the commitment with a pair of wins over his hometown Cowichan Capitals, including a 4-goal game on Saturday. He sits second in team scoring with 13 goals and 12 points from 25 games this season.
“To be able to commit to Cornell, it’s a weight off the shoulders to get it over with and know what I’m doing after Powell River” said Berard during the post-game show following Friday’s 7-0 win, a game where Berard contributed the 5-0 goal. “Cornell had been talking to me a lot and after an opportunity to go down and visit with them before last weekend, I’m excited to have made this decision.”
The 6’0, 190lb forward from Duncan has already matched his goal output from his rookie campaign (13 goals in 56 games), and is only getting better according to the Kings coaching staff.
“I think we’re not even close to seeing what he’s capable of at this level” said Kings Head Coach Kent Lewis. “Continuing to develop and bringing that consistency every night will be important here because the next level at Cornell and in the NCAA will be a lot harder.”
Berard will join four former team mates at Cornell University with former Kings Kyle Betts, Tristan Mullin, Cam Donaldson and Matt Cairns all due to be in their Junior year when Berard joins in 2019.
“It is definately nice that I’ll have some guys I know when I go down there. It’ll make the transition a little easier” says Berard. “They’ll be in their Junior seasons, a veteran core that I can connect with right away.”
The Kings would like to congratulate Ben on this accomplishment
