Graham Mink Returns to Chocolate Town

HERSHEY, PA – Graham Mink skates during his return to Hershey on Saturday night (Tim Stough – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

At the age of 33, former Hershey Bears star Graham Mink was hoping he wasn’t done with hockey. The NHL lockout kept him out of a job until January. Now he’s in a spot to perhaps win another Calder Cup.

Mink signed with the Providence Bruins, one of the best teams in the AHL. Last Saturday Mink returned to Giant Center to play his old team. Even though he’s returned with an opposing team before, it’s always a treat to return to Chocolate Town.

“I always get so excited to play here,” said Mink. “It’s just a great atmosphere to be a part of. Things have been going good the last couple months. We’ve been winning a lot of games. Every night it seems like we’re in it. I think we could do well, But you never know, every team is so competitive.”

Mink was part of the 2005-06 and 2008-09 Hershey Bears Calder Cup championship teams. He still sees and plays against many of his Calder Cup teammates. “Anytime you are part of a championship team, it adds years to your career. It’s some of the things I try and preach to my current teammates. You have that special bond with those players, every time you see them you can smile and say we did it together.”

After waiting through the first part of the season, Mink is excited to be back on the ice. “I’m thankful to the Bruins to give me this opportunity. It’s better than being back home selling insurance. I got the call on a Friday night. They asked me when I could play and they said how about tomorrow night in Springfield. Boston and Providence are first class organizations and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Bears fans might get to see Mink again in the playoffs, against the Bears that will begin later this month.