From the NHL Crease to the Clinic: Matt Berlin’s Unexpected Path to Optometry

At New England College of Optometry, there’s no single path to becoming an optometrist. Some students come straight from undergraduate programs. Others arrive after careers in research, business, or healthcare. And then there’s Matt Berlin—a second-year student whose journey includes a moment on one of the biggest stages in sports: the National Hockey League.

His story is a powerful reminder that the path to optometry isn’t linear—and that even a former NHL player can find a new purpose in patient care.

A Moment That Still Feels Unreal
Before arriving at NECO, Berlin found himself in an extraordinary situation: suiting up as an emergency backup goalie for the Edmonton Oilers.

“I got a call that morning… ‘be prepared to be at the rink,’” he recalled. What followed was a whirlwind—signing a contract, joining the team for pregame, and suddenly being part of an NHL locker room.

Then came the moment.

“The coach tapped me on the shoulder and was like, ‘you’re going in next whistle,’” Berlin said. “I literally asked him if he was joking.”

He wasn’t. Berlin stepped onto NHL ice for the final three minutes of the game. “To this day, it still kind of feels fake,” he said. “I totally blacked out during the moment… I was just telling myself, ‘I’ve played hockey my whole life. It’s just another hockey game.’”

He made a save. The crowd roared. And just like that, a lifelong dream was realized.

Choosing a Different Future
For Berlin, hockey had always been the plan. “My whole life, my goal was to play in the NHL,” he said.

And he did—if only for a few unforgettable minutes.

But shortly after that experience, Berlin faced a defining choice. He was offered a contract to play professionally in Europe, a path that could have extended his hockey career. At the same time, he was preparing for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) and nearing the completion of his undergraduate degree.

“I had about 48 hours to decide,” he said. “If I go to Europe, I’m not done with school; and if I get hurt, I have nothing to fall back on.”

Instead, he made a decision rooted in a deep-seated vision for his life.

“I thought, ‘No, I’m going to stick it out, finish school, write my OAT,’” he said. “And I’m more than happy to be here in Boston at NECO.”

A Passion for Vision—On and Off the Ice
Berlin’s interest in optometry didn’t come out of nowhere. Even during his hockey career, the connection between vision and performance was always clear.

“As a goalie, your visual system is everything,” he said. “You’re working on reflexes, depth perception… it’s kind of all you’re using.”

That early exposure—combined with positive experiences with his own optometrist—sparked a long-standing interest in the field.

At NECO, that interest has only deepened.

“I didn’t realize how much systemic disease shows up in the eyes,” Berlin said. “You can be the one who notices something before a patient even knows anything’s wrong.”

For Berlin, optometry is about more than vision correction—it’s about impacting overall health and quality of life.

“Even if you’re just giving someone a pair of glasses so they can see clearly, that can have a huge impact,” he said.

From Game Day to Exam Day
While Berlin may have left professional hockey behind, the mindset that got him there hasn’t gone anywhere.

“My competitive nature has kind of moved from hockey to school,” he explained. “Tests and exams are like my game day now—this is what you’ve been preparing for.”

That discipline—and drive to perform—has translated into academic success at NECO, with his recent award of the Dr. Otto Hochstadt Scholarship. But he’s quick to point out that the environment is collaborative, not cutthroat.

“We all made it here. We all worked hard to get here,” he said. “I just try to show up, put in the work, and learn as much as I can.”

Finding Purpose Beyond the Rink
Like many student-athletes, Berlin had to grapple with the idea of life after sports.

“You’re one injury away from not being able to play anymore,” he said. “So you need to have a backup plan.”

For him, that plan became a passion—and ultimately, a calling.

“I’m just as happy now being in optometry school as I was playing hockey,” he said.

Looking ahead, Berlin hopes to combine both worlds. His long-term goal is to open a practice in his hometown of Edmonton—one that includes a focus on sports vision.

“I’d love to work with athletes and stay connected to the game,” he said. “That would be an ideal situation.”

Many Paths, One Purpose
Berlin’s story reflects a broader truth about NECO: there is no single “right” way to get here.

“There’s lots of different paths you can go in life,” he said. “If plan A doesn’t work out, there are multiple other things you can do.”

For prospective students, that message is clear. Whether you’re coming straight from college, changing careers, or—even—stepping off professional ice, there’s a place for you in optometry.

And for Berlin, the transition hasn’t been about leaving something behind—it’s about building something new.

“I’ve got no regrets,” he said. “I think I made the right decision for my future.”

At NECO, students don’t just learn how to care for vision—they bring their own unique vision to the profession.