skip to Main Content

Justin Peters Making Most of Opportunity with Hershey

justin peters hershey bears-1
Photo: Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey


Justin Peters found himself Thursday morning in the north goal at Giant Center. As patrons of the antique auto show watched on, the 29-year-old goalkeeper went through drills with the Hershey Bears, his first time back in the AHL since a two-game conditioning stint with the Bears last season. “I’m just excited to get the season going,” said Peters. “I’m excited about starting my journey on back to the NHL.”

After signing with Washington in the 2014 off-season, Peters now looks to get back to the Capitals after playing only 12 games last season in the NHL. The situation is not ideal for him, but will see more playing time in Hershey this season then he would have in Washington. “As a goalie, the more you are in there, the more comfortable you feel. I’ve played with Dan Ellis before and we have a good relationship. I’m excited to be a tandem with him.”

Ellis, 35, also brings veteran experience to the Bears, giving Hershey their most seasoned goalie staff since 2006 when Frederic Cassivi and Kirk Daubenspeck manned the nets for Hershey. Unusual to have two goaltenders with so much veteran experience on a team, head coach Troy Mann doesn’t see an issue with it. “We are just going to rotate. Both guys are pros and both are veteran guys. We need them to have their ‘A’ game right off the hop. With a younger a team, we know there are some growing pains. We’ll make corrections as we go. The goalies will have to be good from game one.”

Although Peters is disappointed going back to the American Hockey League, he understands the tradition of pulling on a Bears sweater. “There is a lot of history in this organization. I’ve been an opponent against them many times. I haven’t come out on the right end a lot of nights coming into this barn. It’s a real tough place to play and I’m excited to be on the right side of things.

“The coaching staff has been implementing a plan this week. There have been a lot of teaching days and we are trying to get everyone on the same page so when we go out there all the Xs and Os are taken care of. I think we are young team and we have a young defensive group, but I think we have a lot of excitement in the locker room.”

Back To Top
Search