Five Former Bears Named to Initial World Cup of Hockey Rosters

Wednesday afternoon five former Hershey Bears were named to four different World Cup of Hockey rosters for the 2016 Tournament to be held in Toronto. Dmitry Orlov, Semyon Varlamov, John Carlson, Braden Holtby, and Michal Neuvirth were all named their home country’s initial roster.

Orlov an Varlamov will represent Team Russia, Carlson will sport the red, white, and blue for Team USA, Holtby will have a maple leaf on his chest as he will between the pipes for Team Canada, and the 2009 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs MVP Michal Neuvirth was named as one of the goalies for Team Czech Republic.

Orlov spent parts of five season with Hershey, including his first season in North America in 2011. The Novokuznetsk, Russia native had a strong start with Hershey in 2013 with three goals and nine points in 11 games with the Chocolate and White, before being recalled to Washington, where he has played ever since.

Varlamov joined Hershey as a rookie in 2008, going 19-7-1 in 27 games with Hershey. Later that season the netminder took the NHL by storm, leading Washington to their first playoff series win since 1998. Varly then came back on two rehab stints before being dealt to Colorado.

John Carlson only played 48 regular season games for Hershey, but was a key part in the back-to-back Calder Cup championships Hershey won in 2009 and 2010. In 29 playoff games, the Natick, Mass. native had 10 points for the Chocolate and White.

Braden Holtby spent four seasons in Hershey, winning 73 games for the Bears with 14 shutouts. Holtby was the number one goalie for the majority of the record setting 2009-10 season, but only ever played 10 playoff games for Hershey

Michal Neuvirth was one of the most popular goalies to come through Chocolate Town, USA in recent memory, leading the Bears to two Calder Cups. Arguably one of the top AHL playoff goalies of all time, Neuvirth is currently a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Former Hershey Junior Bear Johnny Gaudreau was also named to team North America.

The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will begin on September 17, 2016.