Playing career

Berkhoel was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2000 but was eventually traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for future considerations. He played his first set of NHL games once the Thrashers ran into goaltending troubles in the 2005-2006 season where he went 2-4-1 in seven full games while posting a .882 SV% and an 3.80 GAA along with one shutout. The Thrashers opted not to re-sign him, and Berkhoel signed with the Buffalo Sabres during the offseason preceding the 2006-2007 season.

Prior to his NHL Career, Berkhoel backstopped the University of Denver to the 2004 NCAA title, with a memorable 1-0 shutout of the University of Maine in the Championship game, including stopping a six skaters-on-three skaters advantage for Maine in the final 90 seconds of the contest. The opposing goaltender in that game was Jimmy Howard. Howard and Berkhoel would later become teammates in Grand Rapids in 2007-08.

On July 16, 2007, Berkhoel was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Red Wings to play for their affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL.

On August 15, 2008, Berkhoel signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Awards and honors

Award	Year
All-WCHA Third Team	2001-02
All-WCHA Third Team	2003-04
All-NCAA All-Tournament Team	2004

[ Source: Wikipedia ]