Former Hershey Bear Dean Arsene Retires

HERSHEY, PA – Dean Arsene stands during warm-ups before game five of the 2009 Calder Cup Finals (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth, 2009)

The “Mayor of Hershey” Dean Arsene has announced his retirement. Via Heat Central, Arsene announced his retirement late Wednesday night. “You don’t want anybody telling you you can’t play because nobody wants you,” Arsene told the Abbotsford News. “I kind of knew physically and mentally that it was coming down to the wire, it was coming down to the end. To end at home was the best way for me to go out.”

Arsene spent six seasons in Hershey, winning two Calder Cups and was named a captain of two teams in 2006-07 and 2007-08. After leaving Chocolate Town, USA in 2010, Arsene finally got a shot at the NHL with Edmonton, playing 13 games that season for the Oilers. “Dean-o” finished his career in his hometown of Abbotsford, BC, being named captain of the Heat for the past season.

The 33-year-old will hang up the skates for the final time after playing in over 500 AHL games, captaining five different teams in the league, and becoming one of the most popular Bears of all time. Hopefully we see a Dean Arsene Night at Giant Center some time in the near future.