Saturday night’s Hershey Bears game will be a special one as the team will honor longtime GM Doug Yingst prior to the game, along with a bobblehead to be given out to the first 5,000 fans. And I have to say, this might be one of the best bobbleheads I’ve ever seen.
Allentown, PA – Jonas Siegenthaler poses with the puck from his first AHL point after Hershey’s 8-0 win over Lehigh Valley Wednesday night. (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
In Hershey’s historic 8-0 win last night over Lehigh Valley, the newest Hershey Bear Jonas Siegenthaler scored his first AHL point with an assist on Erik Burgdoerfer‘s second period goal.
“It was a good, high paced game,” the 18-year-old said after the win. “I really enjoyed to play with the Bears. It was a lot of fun.
“They’re great guys; they’re helping you all the time. I would not say [tonight] was easy, but since the team helps you a lot, it made [my first game] easier.”
If you need your hockey fix with the Hershey Bears are on the road this weekend, head on over to Klick Lewis Arena in Palmyra to watch the Fifth Annual Broomball for Autism Awareness Sunday, March 13th at 10 am! Local media personalities will be participating in this event, helping raise money for the Autism Society Greater Harrisburg.
For more information on this event, we hand it over to Brian Whitman:
Ryan Bourque skates in his first practice with the Hershey Bears (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
For the first time since the end of the 2015 season, Chris and Ryan Bourque will be sporting the uniform as the younger Ryan joins the Hershey Bears.
“Obviously thrilled,” Chris said about the opportunity to play with Ryan again. “I got the chance to play with him last year. That was a first for us, we enjoyed it. It’s great to spend time with family. You don’t get to see each other too much when you are playing on opposite teams. To have him here is great for myself, him, and the family too.”
“I was a little shocked but most of all I was just really excited,” Ryan said about coming to Hershey. “I know I played with my brother last year, but to be able to come to the place where he started in the league and where he’s made his home is really special. The guys here have been great and I can’t wait to get started.”
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.
Scott Gomez has gotten one more shot at the NHL. The 36-year-old center had been on a PTO with the Hershey Bears, but exercised his option for release from the contract Tuesday.
In 18 games, Gomez scored 24 points and was a major part in the development of Bears forwards Nathan Walker, Riley Barber, Travis Boyd, and many others.
Centerman Scott Gomez has been released from his professional tryout contract by the Hershey Bears, the club announced Tuesday.
Gomez, 36, played in only 18 of the possible 25 games available on the PTO. Through those 18 games, Gomez scored four goals and 20 assists for 24 points. A major key in the revival of Hershey’s power play, the 16-year veteran spent his last games as a Bear paired up with Capitals prospects Riley Barber and Nathan Walker.
Since his arrival, Gomez was huge in helping out the young players of Hershey, as the NHL veteran guided some of Washington’s prospects in practices and even games.
Bears defenseman Connor Carrick has been traded by the Washington Capitals to Toronto along with former Bear Brooks Laich in exchange for Daniel Winnik.
Carrick, 21, has spent parts of three seasons with the Chocolate and White, playing 133 games with the Bears, scoring 18 goals, including the Bears’ 20,000th goal in team history.
Saturday night new broke that the Washington Capitals have acquired Chris Bourque’s brother, Ryan, from the New York Rangers in exchange for Chris Brown.
Bourque, 25, was Hartford’s captain and had 24 points (10-24) in 54 games with them this season.
The Bourque brothers reunite after spending last season together with the Wolf Pack.
Photo via @karisannexo
A rare non-Saturday gameday for Bears fans allowed them to get to enjoy the NHL debut of a former Bear, Pheonix Copley. Copley was traded along with Troy Brouwer this offseason in exchange for T.J. Oshie after a stellar season in Hershey.
For most of this season, the North Pole, Alaska native has been playing for the Chicago Wolves, posting a 12-12-2 record. With the St. Louis Blues having a few goalie injuries, Copley has earned multiple recalls to the Blues, but hasn’t seen any action until today.
