Dmitry Orlov looks on during warm-ups last season (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Early Wednesday morning, CSKA of the KHL announced it had acquired Dmitry Orlov’s KHL rights. Now we know what you’re thinking: “Orlov’s leaving Hershey for the KHL?!?” Well, not exactly.
HERSHEY, PA – Joel Rechlicz smiles before the first game of the Hershey Bears’ 2013-14 season (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Every year on opening night, I get a little too excited and take way too many photos just because I haven’t been able
to shoot real hockey in a few months, so we always end up with extra photos we’ll probably never use. Instead of letting those photos go to waste, we’ve decided to bring you a photo post!
The Hershey Bears wore retro jerseys based off of the 1949-50 season jerseys, being modeled here by Tomas Kundratek, and were auctioned off for Hershey Bears charities after Saturday’s game (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
It’s become a tradition in Hershey after special Bears games; jerseys auctions in which fans live bid on game worn jerseys from the game they just watched. After Hershey’s opening night, Bears players held up their jerseys for fans in sections 119 though 121 to see an let them bid on. Joel Rechlicz’s jersey was the highest seller at $2,000. All the final prices from the current players are below the jump.
Tonight the long hockey journey begins for the Hershey Bears. It begins with great anticipation. When the Bears take to the ice tonight for their home opener Bears fans will be watching a new era in Hershey hockey. A new coach, new players and a new style that is likely to erase the memory of the last two seasons. 18 of the 31 players on the opening night roster played all or part of last season in Hershey.
HERSHEY, PA – (Left to Right) Garrett Michell, Dane Byers, and Jeff Taffe were name as captain and alternate captains earlier Friday (Mitchell and Taffe Photos courtesy: Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth, Byers Photo courtesy: Tim Stough / Sweetest Hockey on Earth, Graphic by: Kyle Mace)
The Hershey Bears have announced their opening night roster and new leaders of the team. Dane Byers is the new captain for the Hershey Bears’ 2013-14 season.
HERSHEY, PA – Michael Latta celebrates one of his goals during the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs. Latta was assigned to Hershey today from Washington (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
The Hershey Bears have gained Michael Latta back for the start of the 2013-14 season. The 22-year-old Latta made the Washington Capitals opening night roster, but after the Capitals claimed Alexander Urbom off wavers, they sent the young forward down.
Mathieu Perreault (left) was traded Sunday to the Anaheim Ducks. Perreault was a large part of Hershey’s 2008-09 and 2009-10 Calder Cup (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
With the Washington Capitals needing to cut one more man off the opening night roster before tomorrow, they do so via trade. The Capitals have announced former Bear forward Mathieu Perreault has been traded to the Anaheim Ducks organization.
HERSHEY, PA – Tomas Kundratek, seen here at the end of last season, cleared wavers Thursday and has reported to Hershey for the 2013-14 season (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
Hershey’s top scoring defenseman is returning for another season. Tomas Kundratek was placed on wavers Wednesday and cleared at noon Thursday, meaning he is to report to Hershey for the Chocolate and White’s training camp. The 23-year-old blue liner scored 16 goals and 31 points in 49 games for Hershey. Kundratek also had a stint with the Capitals, playing in 25 games with one goal and seven points.
HERSHEY, PA – Mike Haviland directs the first day of training camp at Hersheypark Arena
There was a whole new look in the Old Barn on the opening day of Hershey Bears training camp. A new coach, new players and even a new ceiling in the Hersheypark Arena. Some of Mike Haviland’s new players had never been in the building, but it’s where the Bears will practice this week before the first pre-season game Friday night against Utica at Giant Center
Baltimore, MD – Casey Wellman, seen here at the Baltimore Hockey Classic, was one of the four assigned to Hershey today. (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
The Washington Capitals announced today they have assigned four players to the Hershey Bears after making Saturday’s cuts. Those four players are Casey Wellman, Ryan Stoa, Jeff Taffe, and Nathan Walker. Walker, as reported by the George McPhee on Saturday, has signed a one-year deal with Hershey.