From the Ice to the Basement: Rangers’ Brett Berard Lives with Superfan Family — and Loves It

New York Rangers forward Brett Berard might be making waves on the ice, but off it, his lifestyle is turning heads for all the right reasons. While many of his NHL peers are spending their offseasons in swanky condos, waterfront homes, or jet-setting across the globe, Berard is doing something completely different — he’s living in the basement of a family home in suburban Connecticut. And not just any family, either. He’s living with a household of Rangers superfans, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

At just 22 years old, Berard is already showing he’s cut from a different cloth. While other young pros might be eager to flaunt their new contracts or party during the offseason, he’s choosing comfort, connection, and a little bit of quiet. His living arrangement isn’t a temporary crash pad or some quirky publicity stunt. It’s real, it’s consistent, and it’s become a second home for the young forward who’s steadily climbing the Rangers’ depth chart.

The story started with a simple conversation among friends. Berard, who spends most of his year alone during the grueling NHL season, was looking for a place to stay while training in Fairfield County during the summer. A buddy of his, Petey Alofsin, made a connection — a college friend’s family in Darien, Connecticut, happened to be big Rangers fans and had a little extra space. More specifically, they had a basement. One thing led to another, and soon enough, Brett Berard was hauling his gear down the stairs of the Fiorita family’s home and settling into his new offseason digs.

It sounds strange on the surface, sure. An NHL player in a suburban basement? But for Berard, it’s anything but strange. It’s stability. It’s warmth. It’s what he calls his “second family away from family.” And it’s a living arrangement that’s earned him something a lot of young athletes lose track of: balance.

There’s no fancy media room or private chef down there. No rooftop patio or velvet ropes. What Berard gets instead is movie nights, driveway basketball, casual dinners, and evening dog walks. He’s part of the Fioritas’ day-to-day life now — helping out with chores, hanging out with the kids, even getting into heated Rummikub games at the kitchen table. It’s that kind of normalcy that keeps him grounded in a sport and a league that often lifts its young stars far above everyday life.

Berard doesn’t come off like someone desperate for attention or status. Quite the opposite. He’s present. Relaxed. Humble. He’s also laser-focused on his career. This offseason isn’t about relaxation; it’s about preparation. Coming off a season in which he split time between the Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, Berard knows how important this next year is. He’s working hard in the gym, spending time on the ice with other Rangers players, and doing everything he can to come into training camp in the best shape of his life.

Still, the training grind doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy the unique setup he’s got in Darien. The Fiorita family, who welcomed him with open arms, now talk about him like he’s one of their own. What started as a favor has turned into something deeper — a relationship built on trust, respect, and plenty of laughs. They don’t treat him like a pro athlete. They treat him like Brett. The guy who sits on the floor during game nights, grabs a snack from the fridge like any other kid, and laughs with the family like he’s always been there.

The neighborhood knows, of course. It’s hard not to. A New York Ranger living in the basement of a house down the street? That’s the kind of thing that travels fast in any community, and Darien is no exception. But it’s not treated like some tabloid secret or a novelty. Everyone gets it. There’s something deeply human about what Berard is doing — choosing community over ego, choosing simplicity over flash.

His situation speaks volumes about who he is as a person, not just a player. It’s easy to forget that NHL athletes are, at the end of the day, just people in their twenties — figuring things out, managing pressure, trying to make smart choices in high-stakes environments. For Berard, this choice seems to be working. He’s developing as a player and thriving as a person.

Of course, the Rangers organization is watching. While Shesterkin, Panarin, and others grab headlines, there’s growing attention on the next wave of young talent. Berard has shown flashes of what he can do — speed, vision, a gritty two-way game, and that intangible quality coaches love: reliability. He’s the kind of player who, when he’s on the ice, just makes good things happen. This season could be his breakout moment. And if it is, he’ll have more than just his family back home cheering him on. He’ll have an entire household in Connecticut — and maybe the whole neighborhood — screaming at the TV.

When asked about his choice to live this way, Berard is casual and honest. “I live all year by myself, so it’s kind of a second family away from my family,” he says. And really, what more could a young player ask for? In a world where professional athletes are often portrayed as distant and unrelatable, Berard’s story is a refreshing reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do for your career is to find a place that feels like home.

As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on the ice, but this little subplot — the NHL player who lives in a basement with superfans — will continue to be one of those stories that sticks. It’s a testament to what’s possible when people open their doors, when players embrace humility, and when hockey finds its heart not in luxury, but in a family kitchen somewhere in Connecticut.

For now, Berard continues to train, rest, laugh, and live life as only he can — walking the dog, working on his game, and playing cards in the basement after a hard workout. It’s not glamorous. It’s not high-end. But it’s honest, and it works. And for a young guy trying to make his mark in one of the toughest leagues in the world, that’s probably more valuable than any luxury apartment could ever be.

So the next time you hear Brett Berard’s name called during a Rangers game, remember the story behind the stats. Remember the basement, the family, the neighborhood walks. Because sometimes the most interesting thing about an NHL player isn’t what they do on the ice — it’s where they hang their hat when they’re off it.