Philadelphia, PA -- (Sports Network) - Defenseman Bryan Berard will attend the Flyers' training camp in September on a try-out basis, Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren announced on Monday.

"Bryan has been around a number of years now," said Holmgren. "He has been a good defenseman for quite some time. I'm excited about Bryan's willingness to come here on a try-out. It will certainly pick up the competition level of what is going to take place in training camp anytime you can add a player like him. This is kind of an out-of-the-blue thing. It just kind of popped up over the last week to 10 days. We are looking forward to seeing how he does."

Originally selected first overall by Ottawa in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, Berard sustained what many believed to be a career-ending eye injury during the 1999-2000 season while playing for Toronto.

"Basically, my agent, Tommy Laidlaw, talked to Paul Holmgren and thought that this was something that we felt would be a good situation for me to show what I have," said Berard. "I thank the Flyers for giving me this opportunity to try out. I am really looking forward to this."

The 31-year-old rearguard played in 54 games last season for the New York Islanders, compiling five goals and 22 points with a frosty minus-17 rating.

For his career, Berard has 76 goals and 323 points in 619 games with the Islanders, Maple Leafs, Rangers, Bruins, Blackhawks and Blue Jackets.