New York Rangers star lives in 'perfect' basement apartment below hockey super fans
The 22-year-old, currently in the final year of his three-year entry-level contract, lives with the Fiorita family, a household of six who are longtime Rangers fans.
Berard connected with the family through his best friend, Petey Alofsin, whose fraternity brother is the Fioritas' eldest son. When Berard mentioned he planned to train in Fairfield County over the summer, Alofsin encouraged him to reach out.
'Petey's like, 'No way, my best friend from school lives in Darien, you should talk to him,' Berard told The Wall Street Journal.
The arrangement has turned out to be a comfortable and convenient one. Berard participates in family routines, joining the Fioritas for walks around the neighborhood with their minidoodle and playing basketball in the driveway.
Despite his initial uncertainty, Berard says the living situation is 'literally perfect.'
Missy Fiorita, the mother of the household, admitted she wasn't sure the arrangement would actually happen.
'In the back of my mind, I was like, 'This isn't gonna happen. A Ranger's not going to move into our house,' she said.
But once the opportunity came up, she didn't hesitate. 'My heart was 100% in,' she told WSJ.
The Fiorita family has attended many Rangers games over the years and has been in the stands for several of Berard's appearances with the team.
While Berard rents an apartment in Hartford during the regular season, he chose to stay with the Fioritas over the summer for both personal and financial reasons.
'I could rent somewhere, but this opportunity came up,' he said. 'I save money on rent.'
What began as a temporary arrangement has since developed into something more meaningful as, according to Missy, Berard is now seen as part of the family.
'We were all on pins and needles, but as soon as he walked in the door, it was like, 'I'm not welcoming this kid into my home for X amount of time. I'm welcoming him to being part of our family,' she said.
Berard, a fifth-round pick by the Rangers in the 2020 NHL Draft, made his NHL debut last season.
He spent most of the year with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, where he played a key role and showed promise as a developing forward.
As he heads into the 2025–26 season, Berard will be looking to earn a full-time role with the Rangers and secure his next contract.
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