Hershey Bears
Encyclopedia
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey
team playing in the American Hockey League
, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL
Washington Capitals
. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania
, located within Derry Township
some 14 miles east of the state's capital of Harrisburg
. Since the 2002-03 season the Bears' home games have been played at the Giant Center
located just west of Hersheypark Arena
, the club's previous home in both the EAHL (1936–1938) and I-AHL/AHL (1936–2002). The Bears' won their AHL record eleventh and most recent Calder Cup title over the Texas Stars
in 2010.
Hershey is the longest continuously operating member club in the AHL having received its franchise in June, 1938, and played its 5,000th regular season league game on December 20, 2006. Founded as the Hershey B'ars in the Tri-State Hockey League in 1932, the hockey club is also the seventh-oldest continuously operating professional ice hockey organization in North America after the Original Six
teams of the National Hockey League which each began operations in their current cities in either the National Hockey Association
(1909-1917) or NHL between 1909 and 1926. The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is owned and operated by the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
(HERCO), formerly known as Hershey Estates, an entity wholly owned and administered by the Hershey Trust Company
.
faced off in the 1,900-seat Hershey Ice Palace. Nine months after that successful inaugural contest, Swarthmore Athletic Club moved into the Ice Palace, where they played their first game on November 19, 1931, against Crescent A.C. of New York City
. (In the lineup that night for Crescent was a 23-year-old center named Lloyd S. Blinco, a native of Grand Mere, Quebec
. He came to Hershey the next season and would remain continuously associated with Hershey hockey for a half century as a player, coach, and manager).
The popularity of these amateur hockey matches prompted chocolate-maker and amusement park-operator, Milton S. Hershey
, and his long-time entertainment and amusements chief, John B. Sollenberger, to sponsor a permanent team in 1932–1933 called the Hershey B'ars. The club joined the newly formed Tri-State Hockey League with teams from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Atlantic City
. After one season, that circuit reformed itself into a larger, seven-club loop called the Eastern Amateur Hockey League in which Hershey played first as the "Chocolate B'ars" (1933–1934), then again as the "B'ars" (1934–1936), and finally in 1936 as the "Hershey Bears," a name they adopted in response to criticism levied by New York sportswriters and the league that the "B'ars" moniker was too commercial. (These writers had already informally dubbed the club as the "Bears from Penn's Woods" when they visited Madison Square Garden
to play the New York Rovers.)
On December 19, 1936, the newly renamed Bears also moved from the confines of the Ice Palace (where they had to play on a small, 60x170-foot rink) into the newly constructed 7,286-seat Hersheypark Arena
(then known as the "Hershey Sports Arena") built immediately adjacent to the older venue. Over the next sixty-six seasons, the Bears played a remarkable total of 2,280 regular season and playoff games at the Hersheypark Arena, which served as their home from 1936 to 2002.
In 1938–1939, the Bears became the eighth member of the newly formed International-American Hockey League (renamed the American Hockey League
in 1940) which was created on June 28, 1938, by the formal merger of the International and the Canadian-American (Can-Am) Hockey Leagues, after those two smaller circuits had played interlocking schedules with each other over the previous two seasons. Although three of the seven other charter-member I-AHL cities (Springfield, Massachusetts
, Syracuse, New York
, and Providence, Rhode Island
) are also represented in the AHL today, only the Bears have played in the league without interruption since that inaugural 1938–1939 I-AHL season.
returned as the Bears NHL parent club in 2005 after a 21-year span with the Boston Bruins
, the Philadelphia Flyers
, and the Colorado Avalanche
. (The club has also had earlier NHL affiliations with the Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins
, and Buffalo Sabres
). As of the 2009–2010 Calder Cup Finals, the Bears have played in 22 Finals series, a league record.http://www.theahl.com/headlines/index.html?article_id=10131 The Bears went back-to-back in 2008–2010 to win their 10th and 11th Calder Cups, winning their most recent cup versus the Texas Stars
. The Bears became the first team in AHL history to win a Calder Cup series after trailing the series 0–2, going on to win 4 straight to take the series 4–2.
On December 20, 2006, the Bears played their 5,000th regular season game at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York
. The Bears scored seven times en route to a 7–4 win versus the Albany River Rats
.http://www.hersheypa.com/events/hershey_bears/news/detail.php?bp=index.php&id=1876
On May 2, 2007, the Bears played their 500th Calder Cup playoff game in franchise history at the GIANT Center. The Bears played the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
and won 4–3.http://www.theahl.com/news/caldercup/index.html?article_id=7727
In 2010 the Bears set a new club record with 12 straight wins, topping their previous record of 11 set the season earlier in 2008. Over the stretch from December into January the Bears outscored their opponents by a 52–22 margin.http://theahl.com/saturday-roundup-zatkoff-monarchs-top-pens-p140026 The Bears also set a new AHL record for consecutive home victories at 24. Hershey went without a loss at GIANT Center
from November 29, 2009 to March 19, 2010.http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/03/adirondack_rallies_to_end_the.html Hershey has set an AHL mark for consecutive playoff series victories, with eight wins in a row. Besting the record shared with the 2005–2007 Bears and the 1990–1992 Springfield Indians
.
, returned to the playoffs after a two-year absence. The team came off with a strong start by winning their first two series, against the Norfolk Admirals
and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
, in four games each. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Bears played the Portland Pirates
. The Bears quickly took a 2–0 series lead, but then lost the third game. The Bears then rebounded and won game four, to take a 3–1 series lead. However the Bears were unable to finish the job and were forced back to the Giant Center for game seven. The Bears trailed throughout the game, but managed to tie it with a goal from Graham Mink
just over two minutes remaining. In overtime, the Bears finished with a goal by Eric Fehr
, to win the series 4–3. On June 15, 2006, The Bears won the Calder Cup by a series mark of 4–2, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals
. This marked the ninth time the franchise had won the Calder Cup, which tied Hershey with the original Cleveland Barons for the highest number of AHL playoff titles.
in five games, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
in five, and won the Eastern Conference in a sweep of Manchester
. The Bears appeared to have a tenth title wrapped up against Hamilton
, who had finished the regular season with 95 points compared to Hershey's 114. The Bulldogs, however, upset the Bears 4–1. The next season was disappointing to the Bears – Boudreau was promoted to head coach of the Capitals, and the Bears would finish the season 42–30–2–6, losing to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 4–1 in the first round.
The next season, the Bears bounced back. Finishing with 49–23–2 record, they would go on to sweep the Philadelphia Phantoms
in the first round, overcome a 3–2 deficit to beat Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the second, and then defeated Providence
, 4–1, in the Conference Finals. They opened their 21st Calder Cup appearance with a 5–4 overtime win in Manitoba
, but lost Game 2, 3–1. Back home in Hershey, the Bears scored a pair of wins (3–0 and 2–1) before falling in Game 5, 3–2. In Game 6, the Bears scored 3 goals before Manitoba even got on the board, and then an empty-net goal sealed it. With the 4–1 Game 6 victory the Bears defeated Manitoba and finally scored their league-record tenth Calder Cup.
. They went on to win 60 games, breaking the old AHL record of 57 and finishing a point shy of tying the single-season points record. The Bears rallied from a 2-0 deficit against the Texas Stars
to win their 11th Calder Cup, their second consecutive championship and third in the last five seasons.
and its products. The primary logo is a maroon bear, outlined in black, swatting a hockey puck centered below the Hershey Bears wordmark. The wordmark is a horizontal gradient using gold and burgundy outlined in black, with the Hershey part centered on a rectangular outline designed to resemble a Hershey's candy bar. The alternate logo consists of a bear's head in burgundy and black with the initials "HB."
Before their move to the GIANT Center in 2002, the Hershey Bears wore simpler uniforms with the colors of chocolate brown and white. The previous logo used a silhouette of a skating bear with a hockey stick in brown centered in a white, ovular shield outlined in brown.
In the advent of the 2007–2008 season, all of the teams of the American Hockey League unveiled newly designed Reebok EDGE uniforms, including the Hershey Bears. At this time they unveiled an updated version of the "old school" jerseys with the work BEARS written diagonally in Black on a white home jersey and the word HERSHEY written in white on a maroon away jersey. Both jerseys featured black on both sides, the Washington Capitals logo on one shoulder and the classic "skating bear' oval logo on the other shoulder.
The current home and road uniforms were unveiled before the 2009-2010 season. The home uniform includes a white jersey with alternating burgundy and black horizontal stripes and burgundy shoulders. The Bears' primary logo is centered on the front. The shoulder logos include the Washington Capitals' logo and the "HB" secondary logo. The away jersey is burgundy with white shoulders and black horizontal stripes near the bottom of the sweater. The 2009-2010 3rd jersey featured the same color/striping pattern as the home jersey, but no logo was present on the main body of the jersey. Instead the word 'HERSHEY' was across the chest and the player's number was under the word Hershey.
The current version third jersey is a throwback jersey in chocolate brown, with white horizontal stripes. It has no shoulder patches, but features the historic "Skating Bear" logo with the word "HERSHEY" across the chest.
is an anthropomorphic
, brown bear
named Coco. He wears the team's home jersey with a white hockey helmet. Coco the Bear debuted on October 14, 1978 at the Hersheypark Arena. His name alludes to the cocoa bean, from which Hershey's chocolate is derived. Coco's favorite book is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Roald Dahl
, and his favorite movie is the original 1971 film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
.
(League MVP)
John B. Sollenberger Trophy
(Leading point scorer)
(* = The award was known as the Carl Liscombe Trophy until 1954–55)
Willie Marshall Award
(Leading Goal Scorer)
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award (Rookie of the Year)
Eddie Shore Award
(Best Defensemen)
Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award (Best Goaltender)
Hap Holmes Memorial Award
(Goalie(s) with lowest goals against avg)
Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award
(Coach of the Year)
Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award
(sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey)
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team playing in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey is a census-designated place in Derry Township, Dauphin County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The community is located 14 miles east of Harrisburg and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hershey has no legal status as an incorporated municipality...
, located within Derry Township
Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Derry Township is a township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 21,273 at the 2000 census. Hershey, Pennsylvania, the site of the well-known Hershey's chocolate factory and its affiliated amusement park, are also located within the township...
some 14 miles east of the state's capital of Harrisburg
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. Since the 2002-03 season the Bears' home games have been played at the Giant Center
GIANT Center
The Giant Center is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place in the Harrisburg metropolitan area. It is home to the Hershey Bears ice hockey team, the longest-existing member of the American Hockey League since 1938...
located just west of Hersheypark Arena
Hersheypark Arena
Hersheypark Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The arena has a seating capacity, for hockey, of 7,286 people and in excess of 8,000, including standing room...
, the club's previous home in both the EAHL (1936–1938) and I-AHL/AHL (1936–2002). The Bears' won their AHL record eleventh and most recent Calder Cup title over the Texas Stars
Texas Stars
The Texas Stars are an American Hockey League team. They play in Cedar Park, Texas, near Austin.The team is the top affiliate of the NHL Dallas Stars. In April 2008, the Iowa Stars announced that they would no longer affiliate with the Dallas Stars, and changed the team's name to Chops for the...
in 2010.
Hershey is the longest continuously operating member club in the AHL having received its franchise in June, 1938, and played its 5,000th regular season league game on December 20, 2006. Founded as the Hershey B'ars in the Tri-State Hockey League in 1932, the hockey club is also the seventh-oldest continuously operating professional ice hockey organization in North America after the Original Six
Original Six
The Original Six is a term for the group of six teams that composed the National Hockey League for the 25 seasons between the 1942–43 season and the 1967 NHL Expansion. These six teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the...
teams of the National Hockey League which each began operations in their current cities in either the National Hockey Association
National Hockey Association
The National Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey organization with teams in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. It is the direct predecessor organization to today's National Hockey League...
(1909-1917) or NHL between 1909 and 1926. The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is owned and operated by the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
Hershey Entertainment and Resorts , also known as "HERCO", is a privately owned company of the Hershey Trust Company.- History :The company was originally founded by Milton S...
(HERCO), formerly known as Hershey Estates, an entity wholly owned and administered by the Hershey Trust Company
Hershey Trust Company
Hershey Trust Company was created in 1905, as Milton S. Hershey was organized to create the Milton Hershey School. In 1909, when he founded the school, Hershey appointed the Trust as administrator of the school trust...
.
From B'ars to Bears
The history of the Hershey Bears goes back to a series of amateur hockey matches played in Hershey between college teams beginning in early 1931. The first such formal hockey game ever played in Hershey took place on February 18, 1931, when Penn A.C. and Villanova UniversityVillanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
faced off in the 1,900-seat Hershey Ice Palace. Nine months after that successful inaugural contest, Swarthmore Athletic Club moved into the Ice Palace, where they played their first game on November 19, 1931, against Crescent A.C. of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. (In the lineup that night for Crescent was a 23-year-old center named Lloyd S. Blinco, a native of Grand Mere, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. He came to Hershey the next season and would remain continuously associated with Hershey hockey for a half century as a player, coach, and manager).
The popularity of these amateur hockey matches prompted chocolate-maker and amusement park-operator, Milton S. Hershey
Milton S. Hershey
Milton Snavely Hershey was an American confectioner, philanthropist, and founder of The Hershey Chocolate Company and the "company town" of Hershey, Pennsylvania....
, and his long-time entertainment and amusements chief, John B. Sollenberger, to sponsor a permanent team in 1932–1933 called the Hershey B'ars. The club joined the newly formed Tri-State Hockey League with teams from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
. After one season, that circuit reformed itself into a larger, seven-club loop called the Eastern Amateur Hockey League in which Hershey played first as the "Chocolate B'ars" (1933–1934), then again as the "B'ars" (1934–1936), and finally in 1936 as the "Hershey Bears," a name they adopted in response to criticism levied by New York sportswriters and the league that the "B'ars" moniker was too commercial. (These writers had already informally dubbed the club as the "Bears from Penn's Woods" when they visited Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
to play the New York Rovers.)
Hersheypark Arena
Hersheypark Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The arena has a seating capacity, for hockey, of 7,286 people and in excess of 8,000, including standing room...
(then known as the "Hershey Sports Arena") built immediately adjacent to the older venue. Over the next sixty-six seasons, the Bears played a remarkable total of 2,280 regular season and playoff games at the Hersheypark Arena, which served as their home from 1936 to 2002.
In 1938–1939, the Bears became the eighth member of the newly formed International-American Hockey League (renamed the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
in 1940) which was created on June 28, 1938, by the formal merger of the International and the Canadian-American (Can-Am) Hockey Leagues, after those two smaller circuits had played interlocking schedules with each other over the previous two seasons. Although three of the seven other charter-member I-AHL cities (Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, and Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
) are also represented in the AHL today, only the Bears have played in the league without interruption since that inaugural 1938–1939 I-AHL season.
Modern era
The Washington CapitalsWashington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
returned as the Bears NHL parent club in 2005 after a 21-year span with the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
, the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
. (The club has also had earlier NHL affiliations with the Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
, and Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
). As of the 2009–2010 Calder Cup Finals, the Bears have played in 22 Finals series, a league record.http://www.theahl.com/headlines/index.html?article_id=10131 The Bears went back-to-back in 2008–2010 to win their 10th and 11th Calder Cups, winning their most recent cup versus the Texas Stars
Texas Stars
The Texas Stars are an American Hockey League team. They play in Cedar Park, Texas, near Austin.The team is the top affiliate of the NHL Dallas Stars. In April 2008, the Iowa Stars announced that they would no longer affiliate with the Dallas Stars, and changed the team's name to Chops for the...
. The Bears became the first team in AHL history to win a Calder Cup series after trailing the series 0–2, going on to win 4 straight to take the series 4–2.
On December 20, 2006, the Bears played their 5,000th regular season game at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. The Bears scored seven times en route to a 7–4 win versus the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
.http://www.hersheypa.com/events/hershey_bears/news/detail.php?bp=index.php&id=1876
On May 2, 2007, the Bears played their 500th Calder Cup playoff game in franchise history at the GIANT Center. The Bears played the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
and won 4–3.http://www.theahl.com/news/caldercup/index.html?article_id=7727
In 2010 the Bears set a new club record with 12 straight wins, topping their previous record of 11 set the season earlier in 2008. Over the stretch from December into January the Bears outscored their opponents by a 52–22 margin.http://theahl.com/saturday-roundup-zatkoff-monarchs-top-pens-p140026 The Bears also set a new AHL record for consecutive home victories at 24. Hershey went without a loss at GIANT Center
GIANT Center
The Giant Center is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place in the Harrisburg metropolitan area. It is home to the Hershey Bears ice hockey team, the longest-existing member of the American Hockey League since 1938...
from November 29, 2009 to March 19, 2010.http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/03/adirondack_rallies_to_end_the.html Hershey has set an AHL mark for consecutive playoff series victories, with eight wins in a row. Besting the record shared with the 2005–2007 Bears and the 1990–1992 Springfield Indians
Springfield Indians
The Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
.
2006 Calder Cup championship
In 2006 the Hershey Bears, with new head coach Bruce BoudreauBruce Boudreau
Bruce Allan Boudreau is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach and current head coach of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . As a player, Boudreau played professionally for 20 seasons, logging 141 games in the NHL and 30 games in the World Hockey Association...
, returned to the playoffs after a two-year absence. The team came off with a strong start by winning their first two series, against the Norfolk Admirals
Norfolk Admirals
The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:...
and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
, in four games each. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Bears played the Portland Pirates
Portland Pirates
The Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
. The Bears quickly took a 2–0 series lead, but then lost the third game. The Bears then rebounded and won game four, to take a 3–1 series lead. However the Bears were unable to finish the job and were forced back to the Giant Center for game seven. The Bears trailed throughout the game, but managed to tie it with a goal from Graham Mink
Graham Mink
Graham Mink is an American ice hockey Winger currently playing for the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
just over two minutes remaining. In overtime, the Bears finished with a goal by Eric Fehr
Eric Fehr
Eric Fehr is a Canadian ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League. Fehr was a first-round draft pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, chosen 18th overall....
, to win the series 4–3. On June 15, 2006, The Bears won the Calder Cup by a series mark of 4–2, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
. This marked the ninth time the franchise had won the Calder Cup, which tied Hershey with the original Cleveland Barons for the highest number of AHL playoff titles.
Hanging Ten
The following season, Boudreau's Bears finished with a 51–17–6 record and appeared to be on the verge of repeating as champions. They rolled through the playoffs defeating AlbanyAlbany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
in five games, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
in five, and won the Eastern Conference in a sweep of Manchester
Manchester Monarchs
The Manchester Monarchs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Manchester, New Hampshire at the Verizon Wireless Arena. They have been the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings since 2001.-History:...
. The Bears appeared to have a tenth title wrapped up against Hamilton
Hamilton Bulldogs
The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens...
, who had finished the regular season with 95 points compared to Hershey's 114. The Bulldogs, however, upset the Bears 4–1. The next season was disappointing to the Bears – Boudreau was promoted to head coach of the Capitals, and the Bears would finish the season 42–30–2–6, losing to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 4–1 in the first round.
The next season, the Bears bounced back. Finishing with 49–23–2 record, they would go on to sweep the Philadelphia Phantoms
Adirondack Phantoms
The Adirondack Phantoms are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League , who began play in the 2009–10 AHL season. The Phantoms are based in Glens Falls, New York, playing home games at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Phantoms are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers...
in the first round, overcome a 3–2 deficit to beat Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the second, and then defeated Providence
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
, 4–1, in the Conference Finals. They opened their 21st Calder Cup appearance with a 5–4 overtime win in Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, but lost Game 2, 3–1. Back home in Hershey, the Bears scored a pair of wins (3–0 and 2–1) before falling in Game 5, 3–2. In Game 6, the Bears scored 3 goals before Manitoba even got on the board, and then an empty-net goal sealed it. With the 4–1 Game 6 victory the Bears defeated Manitoba and finally scored their league-record tenth Calder Cup.
2009–10 season
Following the Calder Cup win, head coach Bob Woods was promoted to Washington as an assistant coach. He was replaced by Mark French, a former coach in the ECHL. The 2009–10 Bears won a franchise-record 12 consecutive games and notched a 24-game win streak at the Giant CenterGIANT Center
The Giant Center is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place in the Harrisburg metropolitan area. It is home to the Hershey Bears ice hockey team, the longest-existing member of the American Hockey League since 1938...
. They went on to win 60 games, breaking the old AHL record of 57 and finishing a point shy of tying the single-season points record. The Bears rallied from a 2-0 deficit against the Texas Stars
Texas Stars
The Texas Stars are an American Hockey League team. They play in Cedar Park, Texas, near Austin.The team is the top affiliate of the NHL Dallas Stars. In April 2008, the Iowa Stars announced that they would no longer affiliate with the Dallas Stars, and changed the team's name to Chops for the...
to win their 11th Calder Cup, their second consecutive championship and third in the last five seasons.
Logos and uniforms
The colors of the Hershey Bears are burgundy, black, gold, and silver (though the team's primary colors are often referred to as "chocolate and white"), a reference to The Hershey CompanyThe Hershey Company
The Hershey Company, known until April 2005 as the Hershey Foods Corporation and commonly called Hershey's, is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America. Its headquarters are in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is also home to Hershey's Chocolate World. It was founded by Milton S...
and its products. The primary logo is a maroon bear, outlined in black, swatting a hockey puck centered below the Hershey Bears wordmark. The wordmark is a horizontal gradient using gold and burgundy outlined in black, with the Hershey part centered on a rectangular outline designed to resemble a Hershey's candy bar. The alternate logo consists of a bear's head in burgundy and black with the initials "HB."
Before their move to the GIANT Center in 2002, the Hershey Bears wore simpler uniforms with the colors of chocolate brown and white. The previous logo used a silhouette of a skating bear with a hockey stick in brown centered in a white, ovular shield outlined in brown.
In the advent of the 2007–2008 season, all of the teams of the American Hockey League unveiled newly designed Reebok EDGE uniforms, including the Hershey Bears. At this time they unveiled an updated version of the "old school" jerseys with the work BEARS written diagonally in Black on a white home jersey and the word HERSHEY written in white on a maroon away jersey. Both jerseys featured black on both sides, the Washington Capitals logo on one shoulder and the classic "skating bear' oval logo on the other shoulder.
The current home and road uniforms were unveiled before the 2009-2010 season. The home uniform includes a white jersey with alternating burgundy and black horizontal stripes and burgundy shoulders. The Bears' primary logo is centered on the front. The shoulder logos include the Washington Capitals' logo and the "HB" secondary logo. The away jersey is burgundy with white shoulders and black horizontal stripes near the bottom of the sweater. The 2009-2010 3rd jersey featured the same color/striping pattern as the home jersey, but no logo was present on the main body of the jersey. Instead the word 'HERSHEY' was across the chest and the player's number was under the word Hershey.
The current version third jersey is a throwback jersey in chocolate brown, with white horizontal stripes. It has no shoulder patches, but features the historic "Skating Bear" logo with the word "HERSHEY" across the chest.
Mascot
The Hershey Bears' official mascotMascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is an anthropomorphic
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is any attribution of human characteristics to animals, non-living things, phenomena, material states, objects or abstract concepts, such as organizations, governments, spirits or deities. The term was coined in the mid 1700s...
, brown bear
Brown Bear
The brown bear is a large bear distributed across much of northern Eurasia and North America. It can weigh from and its largest subspecies, the Kodiak Bear, rivals the polar bear as the largest member of the bear family and as the largest land-based predator.There are several recognized...
named Coco. He wears the team's home jersey with a white hockey helmet. Coco the Bear debuted on October 14, 1978 at the Hersheypark Arena. His name alludes to the cocoa bean, from which Hershey's chocolate is derived. Coco's favorite book is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 1964 children's book by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of the eccentric chocolatier, Willy Wonka....
by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
, and his favorite movie is the original 1971 film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 musical film adaptation of the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, directed by Mel Stuart, and starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. The film tells the story of Charlie Bucket as he receives a golden ticket and visits Willy...
.
Retired numbers
| Frank Mathers Frank Mathers Frank Sydney Mathers was a professional ice hockey player during the 1940s and 1950s with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, and the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets and Hershey Bears, and is best known for his 35-year association with the Bears... Defenseman Head coach General manager |
Mike Nykoluk Mike Nykoluk Mike Nykoluk is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played one season in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs and who coached for seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs... Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player... |
Arnie Kullman Arnie Kullman Arnold Edwin Kullman was a Canadian ice hockey centreman who played 13 NHL games with the Boston Bruins and 12 AHL seasons with Hershey Bears.-Awards and achievements:... Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player... |
Willie Marshall Willie Marshall William "The Whip" Marshall is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Marshall played his entire National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would play in the NHL over the course of four seasons. Marshall is also the highest scorer in the American Hockey League and has played... Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player... |
| Ralph Keller Defenseman |
Tim Tookey Tim Tookey Timothy Raymond Tookey is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Quebec Nordiques, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.... Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player... |
Mitch Lamoureux Center Centre (ice hockey) The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player... |
Hockey Hall of Famers
- Frank MathersFrank MathersFrank Sydney Mathers was a professional ice hockey player during the 1940s and 1950s with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, and the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets and Hershey Bears, and is best known for his 35-year association with the Bears...
(defenseman/coach, 1956–62; coach, 1962–73; general manager/president, 1973–91), enshrined 1992 (builder) - Ralph "Cooney" WeilandCooney WeilandRalph "Cooney" Weiland was an NHL forward who played for the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, and Detroit Red Wings....
(coach, 1941–45), enshrined 1971 (player)
AHL Hall of Famers
- Willie MarshallWillie MarshallWilliam "The Whip" Marshall is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Marshall played his entire National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would play in the NHL over the course of four seasons. Marshall is also the highest scorer in the American Hockey League and has played...
, C, 1956–63, Elected 2006 - Frank MathersFrank MathersFrank Sydney Mathers was a professional ice hockey player during the 1940s and 1950s with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, and the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets and Hershey Bears, and is best known for his 35-year association with the Bears...
, D, 1956–62; Coach, 1956-73/1984-85; President/GM 1973-91. Elected 2006 - Mike NykolukMike NykolukMike Nykoluk is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played one season in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs and who coached for seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs...
, C, 1958–72, Elected 2007 - Gilles MayerGilles MayerGilles "Gil" Mayer was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. Mayer stood 5'6" tall, and weighed 128lbs.-American Hockey League:...
, G, 1956–59, Elected 2007 - Tim TookeyTim TookeyTimothy Raymond Tookey is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Quebec Nordiques, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings....
, C, 1980-81/1985-87/1989-95, Elected 2008 - Bruce BoudreauBruce BoudreauBruce Allan Boudreau is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach and current head coach of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . As a player, Boudreau played professionally for 20 seasons, logging 141 games in the NHL and 30 games in the World Hockey Association...
, Coach, 2005–07, Elected 2009 - Mitch Lamoureux, C, 1986-89/1993-95/1997-99, Elected 2011
- John PaddockJohn PaddockAlvin John Paddock is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and the former head coach of the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . During his long career in the American Hockey League he won five Calder Cup championships and was inducted into the AHL's Hall...
Coach, 1985-89, Elected 2011
Season-by-season record
This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Bears. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Hershey Bears seasonsRegular season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SOL | Points | Goals for | Goals against | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
80 | 44 | 21 | — | 5 | 10 | 103 | 262 | 234 | 2nd, East |
| 2006–07 2006–07 AHL season The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals.... |
80 | 51 | 17 | — | 6 | 6 | 114 | 305 | 219 | 1st, East |
| 2007–08 2007–08 AHL season The 2007–08 AHL season is the 72nd season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Chicago Wolves won their second Calder Cup, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Final.-Team changes:... |
80 | 42 | 30 | — | 2 | 6 | 92 | 253 | 247 | 4th, East |
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
80 | 49 | 23 | — | 2 | 6 | 106 | 296 | 240 | 1st, East |
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
80 | 60 | 17 | — | 0 | 3 | 123 | 342 | 218 | 1st, East |
| 2010-11 | 80 | 46 | 26 | — | 3 | 5 | 100 | 255 | 214 | 2nd, East |
Playoffs
| Season | Prelim | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
— | W, 4–0, NOR Norfolk Admirals The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:... |
W, 4–0, WBS Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza... |
W, 4–3, PORT Portland Pirates The Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the... |
W, 4–2, MIL Milwaukee Admirals The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:... |
| 2006–07 2006–07 AHL season The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals.... |
— | W, 4–1, ALB Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
W, 4–1, WBS Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza... |
W, 4–0, MAN Manchester Monarchs The Manchester Monarchs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Manchester, New Hampshire at the Verizon Wireless Arena. They have been the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings since 2001.-History:... |
L, 1–4, HAM Hamilton Bulldogs The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens... |
| 2007–08 2007–08 AHL season The 2007–08 AHL season is the 72nd season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Chicago Wolves won their second Calder Cup, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Final.-Team changes:... |
— | L, 1–4, WBS Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza... |
— | — | — |
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
— | W, 4–0, PHI Philadelphia Phantoms The Philadelphia Phantoms were a professional ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1996 to 2009. The club was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and played most of its home games at the Spectrum. During schedule conflicts or some Calder Cup playoff games, games were... |
W, 4–3, WBS Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza... |
W, 4–1, PRO Providence Bruins The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:... |
W, 4–2, MTB Manitoba Moose The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St... |
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
— | W, 4–1, BRI Bridgeport Sound Tigers The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are an ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. It has been the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in... |
W, 4–0, ALB Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
W, 4–2, MAN Manchester Monarchs The Manchester Monarchs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Manchester, New Hampshire at the Verizon Wireless Arena. They have been the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings since 2001.-History:... |
W, 4–2, TEX Texas Stars The Texas Stars are an American Hockey League team. They play in Cedar Park, Texas, near Austin.The team is the top affiliate of the NHL Dallas Stars. In April 2008, the Iowa Stars announced that they would no longer affiliate with the Dallas Stars, and changed the team's name to Chops for the... |
| 2010–11 2010–11 AHL season The 2010–11 AHL season is the 75th season of the American Hockey League. An all-time high of thirty teams will play 80 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on October 8, 2010 and ended on April 10, 2011... |
— | L, 2-4, CHA Charlotte Checkers (2010–) The Charlotte Checkers are a minor-league professional ice hockey team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Midwest Division of the Western Conference of the American Hockey League , and are the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League... |
– | – | – |
Current roster
| Title | STAFF MEMBER |
|---|---|
| President/GM | Doug Yingst |
| Head Coach | Mark French Mark French (ice hockey) Mark French is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach who currently coaches the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.-Early career:A native of Milton, Ontario, French played college hockey at Brock University in St... |
| Assistant Coach | Troy Mann |
Individual award winners
Les Cunningham AwardLes Cunningham Award
The Les Cunningham Award is given annually to American Hockey League's "Most Valuable Player" of the regular season, as voted on by AHL media and players....
(League MVP)
- Keith AucoinKeith AucoinKeith Aucoin is an American hockey player who plays for the Hershey Bears, in the Washington Capitals system.-Playing career:...
, 2009–10 - Alexandre GirouxAlexandre GirouxAlexandre Giroux is a Canadian ice hockey forward currently playing for the Springfield Falcons, of the American Hockey League .- Amateur :...
, 2008–09 - Jean-Francois LabbeJean-Francois LabbeJean-François "J.F." Labbé, nicknamed Ti-Mine, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Sherbrooke Saint-François in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey.-Playing career:...
, 1996–97 - Tim TookeyTim TookeyTimothy Raymond Tookey is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Quebec Nordiques, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings....
, 1986–87 - Mike NykolukMike NykolukMike Nykoluk is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played one season in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs and who coached for seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs...
, 1966–67 - George Sullivan, 1953–54
John B. Sollenberger Trophy
John B. Sollenberger Trophy
The John B. Sollenberger Trophy is given to American Hockey League's leading scorer for the season.The award was named for John B. Sollenberger in 1955. Sollenberger was a long-time contributor to the league as manager and president of the Hershey Bears and former Chairman of the Board of Governors...
(Leading point scorer)
- Keith AucoinKeith AucoinKeith Aucoin is an American hockey player who plays for the Hershey Bears, in the Washington Capitals system.-Playing career:...
, 2009–10 - Alexandre GirouxAlexandre GirouxAlexandre Giroux is a Canadian ice hockey forward currently playing for the Springfield Falcons, of the American Hockey League .- Amateur :...
, 2008–09 - Christian MatteChristian MatteChristian Matte is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played briefly in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
, 1999–20001999–2000 AHL seasonThe 1999–2000 AHL season was the 64th season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hartford Wolf Pack finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... - Tim TookeyTim TookeyTimothy Raymond Tookey is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Quebec Nordiques, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings....
, 1986–87 - Mark LofthouseMark LofthouseMark Allen Lofthouse is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He was a goalscorer.Drafted in 1977 by both the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association, Lofthouse also played for the Detroit Red Wings.Lofthouse suited up for the Capitals...
, 1980–81 - Jean-Guy GrattonJean-Guy GrattonJean-Guy Gratton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He would play 188 games in the World Hockey Association with the Winnipeg Jets.-External links:...
, 1975–76 - Jeannot GilbertJeannot GilbertJeannot "Gil" Gilbert is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 9 games in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, before going to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft. He would also play 133 games in the World Hockey Association with the Quebec...
, 1968–69 - Willie MarshallWillie MarshallWilliam "The Whip" Marshall is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Marshall played his entire National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would play in the NHL over the course of four seasons. Marshall is also the highest scorer in the American Hockey League and has played...
, 1957–58 - George Sullivan*, 1953–54
(* = The award was known as the Carl Liscombe Trophy until 1954–55)
Willie Marshall Award
Willie Marshall Award
The Willie Marshall Award is given to the American Hockey League's leading goal scorer for the regular season. The award was established in the 2003–04 season to honour Willie Marshall, the AHL's all-time leader in goals, assists, points and games played...
(Leading Goal Scorer)
- Alexandre GirouxAlexandre GirouxAlexandre Giroux is a Canadian ice hockey forward currently playing for the Springfield Falcons, of the American Hockey League .- Amateur :...
, 2009–10 - Alexandre GirouxAlexandre GirouxAlexandre Giroux is a Canadian ice hockey forward currently playing for the Springfield Falcons, of the American Hockey League .- Amateur :...
, 2008–09
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award (Rookie of the Year)
- Ron HextallRon HextallRonald Jeffrey Hextall is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques, and New York Islanders...
, 1985–86
Eddie Shore Award
Eddie Shore Award
The Eddie Shore Award is presented annually to the AHL's best defenceman. The award winner is chosen by AHL media and players. The award is named after Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Shore.-Winners:-Other Eddie Shore Award:...
(Best Defensemen)
- Dave Fenyves, 1987–88 & 1988–89
- Marc ReaumeMarc ReaumeMarc Avellin Reaume is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played 344 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Vancouver Canucks.- External links :...
, 1962–63
Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award (Best Goaltender)
- Jean-Francois LabbeJean-Francois LabbeJean-François "J.F." Labbé, nicknamed Ti-Mine, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Sherbrooke Saint-François in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey.-Playing career:...
, 1996–97 - Frederic ChabotFrederic ChabotFrédéric Chabot is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played parts of five seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.-Playing career:...
, 1993–94 - Wendell YoungWendell YoungWendell Edward Young is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently the general manager of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, 1987–88
Hap Holmes Memorial Award
Hap Holmes Memorial Award
The Hap Holmes Memorial Award is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the goaltenders of the American Hockey League team with the lowest goals against average, and who have appeared in at least 25 regular season games....
(Goalie(s) with lowest goals against avg)
- Jean-Francois LabbeJean-Francois LabbeJean-François "J.F." Labbé, nicknamed Ti-Mine, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Sherbrooke Saint-François in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey.-Playing career:...
, 1996–97 - Andre GillAndré GillAndré Gill was a French caricaturist. Born Louis-Alexandre Gosset de Guînes at Paris, the son of the Comte de Guînes and Sylvie-Adeline Gosset, he studied at this city's Academy of Fine Arts. He adopted the pseudonym André Gill in homage to his hero, James Gillray. Gill began illustrating for...
, 1966–67 - Bob PerreaultBob PerreaultRobert M. Perreault - is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 31 games in the National Hockey League and 1 game in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Los Angeles Sharks. He is the cousin of Gilbert Perreault.-...
, 1958–59
Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award
Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award
The Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award is an American Hockey League trophy awarded annually to the most outstanding coach during the season, as voted upon by members of the AHL media....
(Coach of the Year)
- John PaddockJohn PaddockAlvin John Paddock is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and the former head coach of the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . During his long career in the American Hockey League he won five Calder Cup championships and was inducted into the AHL's Hall...
, 1987–88 (Shared award with Mike Milbury) - Doug Gibson, 1979–80
- Chuck HamiltonChuck HamiltonCharles Hamilton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 4 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues.-External links:...
, 1975–76 - Frank MathersFrank MathersFrank Sydney Mathers was a professional ice hockey player during the 1940s and 1950s with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, and the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets and Hershey Bears, and is best known for his 35-year association with the Bears...
, 1968–69
Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award
Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award
The Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award is an American Hockey League trophy awarded annually to the player best exemplifying sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey. The award is voted upon by players and members of the media around the American Hockey League.The award is named for Fred T...
(sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey)
- Mitch Lamoureux, 1998–99
- Tim TookeyTim TookeyTimothy Raymond Tookey is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Quebec Nordiques, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings....
, 1993–94 - Tony CassolatoTony CassolatoAnthony Gerry Cassolato is a retired Canadian ice hockey right winger. He began his professional career in 1976 in the World Hockey Association, first with the San Diego Mariners and then the Birmingham Bulls...
, 1980–81
Head coaches
Asterik denotes number of Calder Cups won- Herb MitchellHerb MitchellHerbert Alexander "Hap" Mitchell was a professional ice hockey player who played 44 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Boston Bruins.- References :...
(1938–1941) - Ralph Weiland (1941–1945)
- Don Penniston (1945–1950)*
- Johnny CrawfordJohnny CrawfordJohn Ernest "Johnny" Crawford is a prolific American character actor, singer and musician. At 12, Crawford rose to fame for playing Mark McCain, the son of the Lucas McCain character , in the popular 1960s ABC western series, The Rifleman, which aired from 1958 to 1963...
(1950–1952) - Murray HendersonMurray Henderson (ice hockey)John Murray "Moe" Henderson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 405 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Toronto, Ontario, he played for the Boston Bruins.- External links :...
(1952–1956) - Frank MathersFrank MathersFrank Sydney Mathers was a professional ice hockey player during the 1940s and 1950s with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, and the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets and Hershey Bears, and is best known for his 35-year association with the Bears...
(1956–1973)*** - Chuck HamiltonChuck HamiltonCharles Hamilton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 4 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues.-External links:...
(1973–1979)* - Fred StanfieldFred StanfieldFrederic William Stanfield is a former professional ice hockey left winger who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1964 until 1978.Stanfield played 914 career NHL games, scoring 211 goals and 405 assists for 616 points...
(1979) - Gary GreenGary Green (ice hockey)Gary Green is a former head coach of the Washington Capitals and hockey analyst for the NHL on TSN. He was previously head coach and GM of the OHA Peterborough Petes and coach of the AHL Hershey Bears . He won the Coach of the Year award in 1979...
/Doug Gibson (1979–1980)* - Bryan Murray (1980-1981/1982)
- Gary InnessGary InnessGary George Inness is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender and teacher.-Playing career:Signed as a free agent in 1973 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Inness would play for parts of almost three seasons in Pittsburgh before he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers...
(1981/1982-1984/1985) - Frank MathersFrank MathersFrank Sydney Mathers was a professional ice hockey player during the 1940s and 1950s with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, and the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets and Hershey Bears, and is best known for his 35-year association with the Bears...
/Bill BarberBill BarberWilliam Charles Barber is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played twelve seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers in the National Hockey League . As part of the famed LCB line, Barber helped lead the Flyers to the franchise's two Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975...
(1984/1985) - John PaddockJohn PaddockAlvin John Paddock is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and the former head coach of the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . During his long career in the American Hockey League he won five Calder Cup championships and was inducted into the AHL's Hall...
(1985–1989)* - Kevin McCarthy (1989–1990)
- Mike EavesMike EavesMichael Gordon Eaves is an American former NHL player and the current head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers Men's Ice Hockey team. Eaves appeared in 324 NHL regular season games between 1978 and 1985, and has coached since 1985...
(1990–1993) - Jay Leach (1993-1995/1996)
- Bill BarberBill BarberWilliam Charles Barber is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played twelve seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers in the National Hockey League . As part of the famed LCB line, Barber helped lead the Flyers to the franchise's two Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975...
(1995/1996) - Bob HartleyBob HartleyRobert Hartley is a former head coach in the National Hockey League. He coached the Colorado Avalanche from 1998–2002, period during which he won the Stanley Cup . He also coached the Atlanta Thrashers from the 2003 up until the beginning of the 2007, when he was fired after the Thrashers got off...
(1996–1998)* - Mike FolignoMike FolignoMichael Anthony Foligno is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League for fifteen seasons from 1979–80 until 1993–94...
(1998–2003) - Paul Fixter (2003–2005)
- Bruce BoudreauBruce BoudreauBruce Allan Boudreau is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach and current head coach of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . As a player, Boudreau played professionally for 20 seasons, logging 141 games in the NHL and 30 games in the World Hockey Association...
(2005–2007)* - Bob Woods (2007–2009)*
- Mark FrenchMark French (ice hockey)Mark French is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach who currently coaches the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.-Early career:A native of Milton, Ontario, French played college hockey at Brock University in St...
(2009–Present)*
External links
- Hershey Bears official site
- "A 60th Anniversary History of the AHL Hershey Bears: 1938–1998"
- "1936–2002: HersheyPark Arena's Sixty-Six Years as Home to Hershey Bears Hockey"
- "The 1938–39 Philadelphia-Hershey Hockey Wars"
- Frank S. Mathers (1924–2005)
- The Internet Hockey Database – Hershey Bears (AHL)
- The Internet Hockey Database – Hershey Bears (IAHL)