Brett Berard stays the course with U.S. NTDP as he readies for Providence

Brett Berard is preparing for his second season with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. (Getty Images)

Brett Berard is one year away from fulfilling a childhood dream.

But the forward from East Greenwich, R.I., who will celebrate his 17th birthday on Sept. 9 as he prepares for his second season with  the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, knows he has a lot of work to do before his lifelong vision of playing at Providence College becomes a reality.

Most of that labor will take place on the ice. A healthy amount will also take place in the classroom, where he’ll be adding to his already large workload.

“I’m supposed to be a junior this year, but I’m going to be a senior,” Berard said. “I’m taking extra classes so after this year I can go right into Providence.”