(Caps Outsider)
The Caps/Bears affiliation will continue!
Today, Washington announced that it has extended its affiliation with the AHL’s Hershey Bears through the 2023-24 season.
“We have enjoyed our long-lasting partnership with the Hershey Bears and are excited to extend our affiliation,” said Caps general manager Brian MacLellan. “Hershey has a tremendous history within the American Hockey League. They are well-run and a first-class organization. We believe the franchise’s winning culture provides our prospects with the best opportunity to develop.”
This season, 14 former or current Bears played for Washington: Travis Boyd, John Carlson, Christian Djoos, Martin Fehervary, Braden Holtby, Tyler Lewington, Beck Malenstyn, Dmitry Orlov, Michael Sgarbossa, Ilya Samsonov, Jonas Siegenthaler, Chandler Stephenson, Jakub Vrana and Tom Wilson.
The Bears are the AHL’s oldest and most decorated franchise and have one of the league’s top attendance marks, averaging 8,753 fans per game at Giant Center during the shortened 2019-20 season. The club has led the AHL in overall attendance in 12 of the past 14 seasons. Giant Center seats 10,500 for hockey and is located less than 140 miles from Capital One Arena.
Photos: Hershey Bears Collect World Record 45,650 Toys on Teddy Bear Toss Night
