Rick Berry

Rick Berry - Coach

rick@coloradohockeytraining.com

Team Rocky Mountain is proud to announce the appointment of Rick Berry as the U16 Head Coach.  Rick was born in Birtle, Manitoba. After going through the Birtle Minor Hockey Association, Berry joined the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, helping his team win the Western Conference championship. In 1997-98, the defenseman split the season between Seattle and Spokane.  Berry was the third pick of the Colorado Avalanche, ( 55th overall)  in 1997's Entry Draft and spent the better part of the next three seasons in Hershey developing his skills with the AHL Bears. He served as the assistant captain in 1999-2001 and was named defensemen of the year in 2000 and 2001.  He was selected for the AHL All Star Team in 2001. He made his NHL debut January 7, 2001 in a game against the Detroit Red Wings. In parts of two seasons, Rick appeared in 66 games for the Colorado Avalanche. Then, on March 19, 2002, Rick Berry and Ville Nieminen were traded to Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) in exchange for Darius Kasparaitis, and he finished the season with the Penguins.  Rick spent the majority of 2002-2004 seasons with the Washington Capitals (NHL) blue line.  Following his two-years with the Caps, Berry signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2004-2005 lock out season. He played for their AHL affiliate, the Utah Grizzlies and served as the Team Captain. The 2005-2006 season, he split between San Antonio (AHL) and Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) and served as the Assistant Captain on both teams.  In 2006-2007 Berry played for the NY Islanders AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Soundtigers and served as the Assistant Captain.  Rick spent 2007-2008 with the Springfield Falcons (AHL) and was the Team Captain. In 2008-2009 Rick headed overseas and played for the Duisburg Fuchse in the DEL German league.  In 11 years of professional hockey, he has appeared in 197 NHL games to total 672 games at the professional level.

Rick's next step in his hockey career is to develop and teach players how to achieve the next level.  Rick has spent several years training and coaching kids individually and in hockey schools across North America.  Rick and his wife Tonya have resided in Denver for the past 9 years. They have 2 daughters Natalie and Caroline. The Berry family has been and continues to be active in various charities throughout and the Denver Community.

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