Lauren Bernard Bio
Lauren Bernard (born July 15, 2001) is an American professional ice hockey defenceman for the New York Sirens of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She previously played for the Toronto Sceptres of the PWHL. A product of the U.S. college system, Bernard developed into a steady, two-way defender after standout seasons at Clarkson University and Ohio State University.
Standing 5 ft 7 in (170 cm), the Madison, Ohio native shoots left and has been a regular contributor on the blue line since her professional debut. Bernard won NCAA championships with Ohio State in 2022 and 2024 before joining the PWHL in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Lauren Bernard was born on July 15, 2001, in Madison, Ohio, to Chris Bernard and Donna Bernard. She grew up with a brother, Andrew, in a supportive family environment in northeast Ohio. The cold winters of the region offered an early entry point to ice sports.
Bernard attended Madison High School for her first three years before graduating from Bishop Kearney High School, a program known for developing young female hockey players. In addition to ice hockey, she played softball and tennis, demonstrating the multi-sport athleticism that would later help her game.
Path to Hockey
Bernard began her collegiate career with the Clarkson Golden Knights during the 2019–20 season. As a freshman, she recorded two goals and 11 assists in 37 games and ranked third on the team with 65 blocked shots, an indication of her defensive reliability. Her sophomore season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, but she still added one goal and three assists in 19 games.
On April 27, 2021, Bernard transferred to Ohio State to continue her development within the Big Ten. The move paired her with a stronger offensive program and gave her a platform to chase national titles.
Lauren Bernard Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
At Clarkson, Bernard earned a reputation as a dependable, defense-first blueliner with the ability to move the puck. She consistently logged heavy minutes on the penalty kill and contributed offensively from the back end.
Her two seasons with the Golden Knights laid the foundation for her transfer to a bigger stage, where she would face stronger competition in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and later the NCAA tournament field.
Ohio State Era (2021–2024)
During her junior year at Ohio State in 2021–22, Bernard posted four goals and 20 assists in 38 games. She helped lead the Buckeyes to their first NCAA women’s ice hockey national championship in 2022, a watershed moment for the program.
As a senior in 2022–23, she added three goals and 12 assists in 41 games, and as a graduate student in 2023–24 she produced eight goals and 15 assists in 39 games. Ohio State won its second NCAA title in 2024 with Bernard serving as a senior leader on the blue line. Across her four college seasons, she built a resume that included two national championships and consistent offensive production from defense.
Toronto Sceptres Era (2024–2025)
On June 10, 2024, Bernard was selected in the fourth round, 24th overall, by PWHL Toronto in the 2024 PWHL Draft. In November 2024, after pre-season camps, she signed a one-year contract with the Sceptres and began her professional career.
In her rookie PWHL season, Bernard recorded one assist in 15 games with Toronto. The limited offensive output reflected her adjustment to the professional level, but she continued to provide steady defensive play.
New York Sirens Era (2025–Present)
On March 10, 2025, Bernard signed with the New York Sirens for the remainder of the 2024–25 season. She debuted for the Sirens on March 16, 2025, and recorded two assists in her first appearance. On June 20, 2025, she signed a one-year contract extension with the Sirens, signaling the team’s confidence in her long-term role.
During the 2025–26 season, Bernard recorded two assists in 30 games and continued to handle defensive responsibilities. On June 20, 2026, she signed a two-year contract extension with the Sirens, locking her in through the following campaigns.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bernard is recognized as a defensive-minded defenceman who emphasizes positioning, shot-blocking, and reliable exits from her own zone. Her left-handed shot and calm puck distribution help break out pressure, and her college-level experience against high-end forwards has translated to a measured professional approach.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bernard has earned two NCAA national championships with Ohio State in 2022 and 2024. She has also represented the United States at the 2019 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, winning a silver medal. Her mid-season transition from Toronto to New York in 2025 marked her first major professional move.
Lauren Bernard Career Wins
Across her playing career, Lauren Bernard has collected multiple team championships and individual honors at both the collegiate and junior international levels. Her biggest titles came as a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
NCAA Highlights
Bernard helped Ohio State win NCAA women’s ice hockey national championships in 2022 and 2024. She was a consistent contributor on the blue line throughout her four college seasons, peaking with eight goals and 15 assists in 2023–24.
International Highlights
At the 2019 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, Bernard represented the United States and won a silver medal, recording one assist in five games. The event was an early showcase of her international potential.
Lauren Bernard Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Lauren Bernard was born to Chris Bernard and Donna Bernard and grew up with a brother, Andrew, in Madison, Ohio. Her family supported her athletic pursuits through high school and into her college career.
Personal Life
Bernard keeps her personal life largely private. She maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow her professional hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
Lauren Bernard’s 2025 storyline began with a mid-season trade from the Toronto Sceptres to the New York Sirens on March 10, 2025. The change gave her a fresh start on a retooling New York blue line, and she responded with two assists in her Sirens debut on March 16, 2025.
Following the season, Bernard signed a one-year contract extension on June 20, 2025, before producing two assists in 30 games during the 2025–26 campaign. Her role with the Sirens has centered on defensive reliability and steady puck movement rather than point-scoring, and the June 20, 2026 two-year extension reaffirmed her place in the team’s long-term plans.
Heading into the next season, Bernard is expected to remain a regular on the Sirens’ blue line as the franchise continues to build around young talent.