Since the 2006-07 season, the Hershey Bears have been untouchable in the race for the AHL attendance record each season. The 2016-17 season was no different. With 353,759 fans visiting Giant Center over 38 games, an average of 9,309 fans a game gave Hershey their 11th attendance title in as many seasons.
If you were writing a movie about Garrett Mitchell’s journey to the NHL, this would be the closing shot.
After Mitchell’s call up to the NHL Sunday, he got the rookie treatment by having to skate a lap alone in warm-ups and had to start the game by being forced by Nicklas Backstrom to take the opening faceoff. But after the game might be the most appropriate part of the entire night.
Photo: @Capitals
If you can’t tell, we’re super excited to see Bears captain Garrett Mitchell make his NHL debut Sunday night, and we think you are too. We’ve put together this mega post with everything related to Mitchell’s NHL debut and will be updating it throughout the game.
Life in the American Hockey League can be tough sometimes, so you need to find ways to kill time during trips. After the Bears had split a series with the St. John’s IceCaps, the team flew from Newfoundland to Toronto, where they have a layover before coming back to the USA.
Saturday night Bears netminder Pheonix Copley debuted a new Washington Capitals-themed mask during warm-ups. The recently acquired goalie joined Hershey less than a month ago from the St. Louis Blues.
Before Saturday night’s Hershey Bears game, Vice President of Hockey Operations Bryan Helmer announced the team will hold their second ever outdoor game on January 20, 2018, at Hersheypark Stadium against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Next season will mark the team’s 80th in the American Hockey League, as well as five years since the last Outdoor Classic.
Every year, in conjunction with the Hershey Bears, Arooga’s Grille House and Sports Bar coordinates a fundraising night at their locations where Hershey Bears players make an on-site appearance to meet guests, sign autographs, guest bartend, etc. to benefit “Running for Rachel,” a yearly 5K which supports Duodenal cancer research.
Rachel Guss, for which the charity was named after, was a local to the Harrisburg area and was known by many Arooga’s employees. She lost her battle with the aggressive illness in 2011. Last year this event raised over $8,000 in just two hours to benefit the charity’s annual 5K.
Their names are synonymous with the great tradition of Hershey Bears hockey. Now their names are forever enshrined with the legends of the American Hockey League. Monday morning in Allentown, Doug Yingst and Bryan Helmer became the newest members of the American Hockey League Hall of Fame. Yingst’s career with the Bears began as a sales and promotions director. It ended when he retired last season after 34 years, completing his run as President and General Manager. His four Calder Cup championships as General Manager equals the most in league history.
Sunday night the Hershey Bears held a Star Wars night, with the team sporting specialty jerseys with a Star Wars theme. The jerseys have been hyped up for weeks by jersey collectors and after the game against Binghamton, they raised $42,100 for charity.
The following is a list of prices for each jersey that was sold:
For a few years now, people have been asking us to do t-shirts. In all honesty, we’re not very good at coming up with shirt ideas. But this past month we’ve designed nine new shirts and opened our first ever merchandise store. Everything from phone cases to t-shirts are for sale. Plus, right now everything is 17% off in honor of the new year! Find that coupon code at the bottom of the page.
