Ben Berard stole the show at the AHL All-Star game with one of the nicest goals you will see in any scenario.

Taking the spot of Kirill Kudryavtsev, who was sidelined by a high ankle sprain, Berard stepped in to represent the Abbotsford Canucks at the AHL All-Star Challenge — and he made sure the opportunity didn’t go quietly.

Taking part in the Upper Deck Breakaway Relay, Berard went one-on-one against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov. Gliding in with confidence, the Duncan, BC native opened his stance, scooped the puck, and lofted it perfectly into the top corner. The move set off the crowd, his teammates, and even the broadcast crew covering the event.

It was Berard’s second appearance of the evening, having also competed in the Inglasco Puck Control Relay to open the event. But it was the breakaway finish that stole the spotlight.

The Eastern Conference held on for a tight victory on the night, defeating the Western Conference 18-15.

Signed to an AHL contract, Berard has quietly been a key contributor for Abbotsford this season. He currently co-leads the club with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 45 games, providing consistent offensive production as the team has undergone substantial changes, including 2024-25 player exits, injuries, and promotions to Vancouver.

“It’s definitely an honour to represent the whole team and the guys in there,” Berard said afterward, reflecting on the experience before departing for Rockford, Illinois, for the All-Star Challenge. With his appearance, Berard became the fifth player in franchise history to represent Abbotsford at the AHL All-Star Classic and just the second from British Columbia.

Last season, defenceman Elias Pettersson earned All-Star honours but did not attend due to his recall to Vancouver, with Ty Mueller stepping in as a replacement. Forward Arshdeep Bains represented the club in 2024, while Christian Wolanin was the franchise’s inaugural All-Star in 2023.

Next up, it’s the All-Star Challenge at the BMO Harris Bank Center, home of the Rockford IceHogs, on Wednesday, February 11. The four divisions – Pacific, North, Atlantic, Central – will compete in eight-minute 3-on-3 games, with the top two teams advancing to the championship round.