Doctors re-attach damaged retina of Leafs D BerardDoctors today were able to re-attach the severely damaged right retina of Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bryan Berard. However, it is not immediately known whether Berard will regain vision in his right eye following the 4 1/2-hour surgical procedure at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. It was the second time Berard has undergone surgery since he was struck in the eye by the stick of Ottawa Senators right wing Marian Hossa in a 4-2 victory on March 11. Doctors performed emergency surgery late that night in Ottawa before Berard was flown back to Toronto. Because of the amount of blood in Berard's eye, doctors at that time could not determine whether he would be able to regain vision. Berard, 23, was clipped under the eye by Hossa's stick as the winger followed through on a shot with 4:40 left in the second period. He immediately fell to his knees, holding his right eye above a pool of blood until trainers could reach him. Hossa received a double minor for high-sticking but was not suspended. Last fall, Berard signed a two-year contract worth more than $3 million with Toronto. He ranks second among Maple Leafs defensemen in scoring with three goals and 27 assists in 64 games. The top overall pick in the 1995 draft by Ottawa, the 6-1, 203-pounder was acquired from the New York Islanders in January 1999 for goaltender Felix Potvin and a swap of sixth-round draft picks. Berard combined for nine goals and 25 assists in 69 games last season, his third in the NHL. |