Bryan Berard doesn’t blame Islander fans for not packing the Coliseum nor his former teammates for wanting out.
”It’s tough there because the players and the fans are sitting there, wondering if the owners and management really wants to win,” Berard told The Post yesterday. ”The best thing for my career was that change. I have no idea why it happened, but I’m glad it did.”
Tonight, the flashy offensive defenseman and 1996-97 Calder Trophy winner makes his first visit to the Coliseum since the Jan. 9’s Felix Potvin swap with Toronto, where Berard is flourishing.
Berard wonders if his Isles’ career would’ve soared if then-assistant Bill Stewart was named head coach before the trade.
”The best thing for that team was Mike [Milbury] stepping down,” Berard said. ”They’re playing well under Bill. He’s going to be a great coach. While Mike and the other coaches nitpicked, Bill just said go out and play. He was there for me during tough times. I would’ve liked to play for him.”