Former NHLer Bryan Berard: Fraudsters 'totally devastated my earnings'

Bryan Berard's tale as a victim of fraud is well documented, but the former NHL defenseman said the extent of the damage caused to his retirement fund can't be understated.

Berard was victimized by Boston-based financial advisor Phil Kenner, and former race car driver Tommy Constantine, who stole millions of dollars by forging Berard's signature on documents after convincing him to make a series of investments.

“It totally devastated my earnings," Berard told Laura Hensley of the National Post. "And now that’s pretty much why I’m back working. When it was all gone, it was all gone."

The former blue-liner retired in 2009 after a 10-year NHL career and one season in the KHL.

The FBI and the IRS arrested Kenner and Constantine in 2013, charging them with wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy.

The men will be sentenced Nov. 20, and face a maximum of 20 years in jail on each conviction. They could also be forced to repay up to $30 million.

Free-agent defenseman Sergei Gonchar and former players Joe Juneau, Michael Peca, Darryl Sydor, and Bill Ranford are among those who were exploited by the duo.

Berard is hoping to ensure current and future athletes don't suffer the same fate.

“I’m working in finance now," he said. "It’s almost like I am trying to recruit the younger players and really help them so they don’t have to go through anything like I did with Kenner.”