Hawks sign Saskatoon defenseman to Letter of Intent
The Nipawin Hawks have signed Saskatoon Contacts defenseman Barret Berger to a Letter of Intent for the 2025-26 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season and beyond.
Berger, 17, already played two games for the Hawks as an affiliate player last year. Drafted by Nipawin in the first round of the 2023 SJHL draft, Associate General Manager Dana Dirks said the organization is excited to potentially see the 6’1” rearguard patrolling their blueline for several years.
“He plays a physical solid game, he has chipped in with some points this year,” Dirks said of the signing. “I don’t anybody would describe his game as an offensive defenseman by any means, but he can move pucks, makes good first passes. He’s a big solid guy that has a high compete level.”
Berger has a goal and 12 assists this year with the AAA U18 Contacts. Last year he scored three times and added eight assists. His most prolific offensive season was his final year of AA U15 where Berger scored 13 times and added 22 assists in 22 games with the Saskatoon Bandits. With time, Dirks feels the 2008-born Berger could produce more offense.