THE ‘BER’ NECESSITIES

“Scored by number 72, Aaron Berisha”.  Throughout stadiums in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), this line has been said by in-arena announcers 43 times this season.  Split fairly even, with scoring 23 goals at home and 20 goals away from Budweiser Gardens, London Knights’ overager, Aaron Berisha is in the midst of the best season by any Knights’ overage player since the Hunter era began.

While much attention is garnered on the Knights’ 100-point trio of Christian Dvorak, Mitch Marner, and the most recent forward to reach the century mark, Matthew Tkachuk, Berisha has flown somewhat under the radar as the second leading scorer on the squad.  Sitting second on team goal scoring, six markers behind OHL leader Christian Dvorak, Berisha has played many roles this year, not just serving as an offensive threat.

There have been several times this season where Berisha has been asked to be the shutdown guy.  In a game against the Barrie Colts, Berisha along with his linemates, J.J. Piccinich and Owen MacDonald, were called upon to shutdown one of the OHL’s most dangerous lines which featured league scoring leader Kevin Labanc and 40 goal scorer Andrew Mangiapane.  Barrie’s big guns combined to score zero points that game. No matter what role Berisha has been asked to portray this season, he has delivered, evidenced by the praise of his coaches.

“Aaron has worked hard and has been a real team guy for us” Dale Hunter had to say about the overager. “Good things happen when you buy in.” 

Fast forward three weeks to the Knights’ matchup in Kitchener against a powerful Rangers squad, and Berisha showed his talent for scoring yet again.  Sitting at 39 goals on the season heading into the game, it was reasonable to expect Berisha to net his 40^th, but no one would have expected what transpired. 

In the first period, the PA announcer was forced to say “his 40^th of the season, scored by number 72, Aaron Berisha.”  Then the in-arena announcer at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium had to mutter the same phrase again, but stating that it was Berisha’s 41^st of the season.  This turned to 42^nd, and finally 43^rd as the overager had potted four goals in a game against one of London’s longest rival squads.  This was Berisha’s first ever hattrick in the OHL, since number 72 broke into the league with the Bellville Bulls in the 2012-2013 regular season.

While Berisha deserves to be recognized for his outstanding play, the Knights’ right winger is always the first to credit his teammates for his results.  “The guys have been making amazing passes to me and I’m lucky enough to capitalize on them,” said Berisha after his four goal performance over the Rangers.

With the Knights now catching the Erie Otters for top spot in the OHL standings, it is important that Berisha keeps the flames stoked in his current hot streak.   As the weather has warmed up since the beginning of March, so has Berisha as the Knights’ assistant captain has potted eight goals in four games since the start of the month.  While the Knights are bearing down and hunting the top spot in the league, Berisha and company will be sure to see plenty of ice, no matter what the situation.