#hersheybear

[mitchbeck]

WOLF PACK MAKE POTULNY TEAM'S EIGHTH HEAD COACH

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has named Grant Potulny Head Coach of the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Potulny is the eighth head coach in Wolf Pack history. Potulny, 44, has spent the last seven seasons as the Head Coach of Northern Michigan University. During that time, he guided the Wildcats to a record of 128-113-17 over the course of 258 games. The Wildcats won 20 games in back-to-back seasons, posting a record of 20-16-1 during the 2021-22 campaign and a record of 21-17-0 during the 2022-23 season. The Wildcats concluded the 2022-23 season by advancing to the CCHA Finals for the second time in three seasons. Before joining the Wildcats, Potulny spent eight seasons as an Assistant Coach at the University of Minnesota. During his time with the Golden Gophers, Potulny helped the club capture six regular-season conference titles and qualify for the NCAA Tournament on five occasions. Internationally, Potulny was an Assistant Coach for Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2022. Team USA won the event in both 2013 and 2017. Before joining the coaching ranks, the native of Grand Forks, ND, enjoyed a six-year playing career in the AHL. He appeared in 297 games, scoring 145 points (73 g, 72 a) with the Binghamton Senators, Hershey Bears, Springfield Falcons, San Antonio Rampage, and Norfolk Admirals. Potulny was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round, 157th overall, of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Before turning pro, Potulny played four seasons with the Golden Gophers, scoring 116 points (68 g, 48 a). In 2002, Potulny was named the NCAA Tournament’s MVP, leading the Golden Gophers to an NCAA National Championship. The Golden Gophers repeated as National Champions in 2003, with Potulny earning MVP honors in the WCHA Tournament. The Wolf Pack will open the home portion of their 2024-25 schedule on Friday, October 18th, at the XL Center! Full-season tickets, 20-game plans, 12-game plans, and flex plans for the 2024-25 season are on sale now! Visit  hartfordwolfpack.com or call 860-722-9425 for more details! About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues, and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues, either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers' newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOWLINGS Read the full article

[thereal-cherribo]

I do Ice Hockey now btw… Thought you all should know. 🥵BIG CONTENT PLANS🥵 #Transgender #IceHockey #HersheyBears #PhiladelphiaFlyers #SavannahGhostPirates (at Savannah Civic Center MLK Arena) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn5KEKVv6dk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[doesyourcatdothis]

[geezerwench]

Went to "America's Largest RV Show" at the #GiantCenter in #HersheyPA. That's where the #HersheyBears play. . Saw some cute little #campers and lots of big ones WAY out of our price range. Like the #Freightliner #ClassC for a mere $198,000! Then there was a deisel #ClassA for $325,000. omg . It was hot, too. Better to do this kind of thing in cooler weather. #RV #RVcamping https://www.instagram.com/p/B2UzioJgeHu/?igshid=9vi95xx4z287

[queenvstroy]

Ok 9 hours of this im brain dead lol . . . #wrestling #nationals #cameralover #camop #travelblogger #travellingthroughtheworld #northcarolina #charlottenc #love #photography #photoshoot #pennsylvania #hersheybears (at Giant Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Buuj8GOHD2_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1o1lubm5r64u5

[pennproud]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PennLive (@pennlive)

The Hershey Bears got to hang out with some of the kids at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center before the holidays! @thehersheybears #hersheybears #hospitalvisit #bearscares #hockey #kids @pennstatehershey https://www.instagram.com/p/BrY5KswhN-m/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16nxhowvt6cch

[slapshotreelmedia]

Sweetest Place To Be For Walker

For many young Australian kids, the prospect of pulling on a jersey for a major league sports team is something which is a lifetime goal, a dream or simply a fantasy! The training, dedication, money, time and energy required to pursue this dream is extraordinary and generally includes overseas training camps, sponsorship deals and sacrifices. Being in Australia, the allure of the MLB, NHL, NFL and NBA can seem unattainable for most. However, Australia has now conquered the final frontier of North American sports thanks to a 24 year old Sydney sider by the name of Nathan Walker.

Two dates will now be etched into Australian sporting history. On October 4th 2017, Walker was named to the roster for NHL team, the Washington Capitals, stamping his name as the first ever Australian to make the National Hockey League in it's 100 year history. Just two days later on the evening of 6th October, Walker made his NHL debut in the Capitals' home opener against the Montreal Candiens at Capital One Arena, Washington DC.

So just how did a young hockey enthusiast from Sydney end up taking to the ice on hockey's biggest stage? It all started, like many young hockey players in Australia by watching everyone's favourite hockey larrikins...the Mighty Ducks. Walker began playing hockey at the age of six and took to the game at a rapid pace. In 2007, Walker took his game overseas, being picked up by Czech Republic club HC Vikovice. Playing between their Under 18 team and also playing back home for the Sydney Ice Dogs in the Australian Ice Hockey League, Walker would soon find himself in the Senior team for HC Vikovice before North American hockey beckoned.

Walker was signed by the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League during Season 2012-13 during which he played 29 games before missing playoffs due to injury. That year would prove to be pivotal for Walker as he continued his training between Australia and the Czech Republic before being invited to attend the Washington Capitals development camp in September that year. After a solid camp, Walker became the first Australian to enter the American Hockey League and found a home with the Capitals' AHL affiliate the Hershey Bears. Walker played four seasons with the Bears, recording a total of 202 games with 34 goals in the process. In 2014, Walker was granted entry to the NHL radar by being selected by the Capitals in the 2014 entry level draft

After some challenges with injury and continuing to play in Hershey, Walker was back with the Capitals for the 2017 training camp earlier this year. After a gruelling and lengthy camp with fast paced hockey and strict roster cuts, history was made as Walker was named to the Capitals roster, making him the first Australian to enter the NHL!

Image by Wulos

The past twelve months has been a rollercoaster for Walker. After the dizzying high of his NHL debut and the games that followed, Walker became a healthy scratch for the Capitals numerous times, just missing out on the game rosters. As a result, he was placed on waivers and many hoped that he would make his way back down to Hershey. However, the young Aussie was in demand and was soon snapped up by the Edmonton Oilers. Playing a handful of games in Edmonton, Walker was again on the move soon after with waivers beckoning once again. Being labelled ‘the boomerang’ by Australian fans and followers, Walker returned to the Capitals organisation and was then assigned to Hershey, much to the delight of local fans.

For Nathan himself, the whirlwind of three organisations in five months has been a great experience. “I was fortunate enough to start the year off in Washington and then got the opportunity to play a few games in Edmonton and now I’m back in Hershey” he said. “It’s definitely been a long year but a great experience” he continued.

Playing at both the AHL and NHL level has assisted Walker tremendously in developing his game. “Being in Hershey has helped me a tremendous amount” he said. “It’s a very professional organisation and the way things are done here really sets you up to play NHL” he concluded.

Affectionately known as Chocolate Town U.S.A, Hershey is tucked away in the south east of Pennsylvania with a population of just over 14,000. A rich history and plenty of tourism hotspots complete with Hersheypark and plenty of chocolate related attractions thanks to the Hershey Company make the town a warm and inviting place to live and visit.

From a hockey perspective, the Bears are one of the oldest and most historic organisations in the American Hockey League. 2018 marks their 80th year, having been established as the Hershey Hockey Club in 1938 by Milton S. Hershey. Since then, the Bears have experienced great success with 11 Calder Cups (the most recent in 2009-10) and 23 Conference Championships (most recently in 2015-16). The presence of Hersheypark has also allowed the Bears to participate in Outdoor games. Only last month the Bears and a historic alumni team took to the outdoor ice at Hersheypark Stadium for the 2018 Outdoor Classic against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Image Source: Twitter

The local community have embraced the first Australian in the AHL during his time in Hershey. “The fans have really embraced that side of it” he said. Walker has played a total of 217 games for the Bears since 2013 and has become a fan favourite in Chocolatetown. “It’s a great hockey community here and the fans are great” he continued. As for the chocolate? “My favourite would have to be Reeces Pieces” he concluded.

Walker’s story and success has and will continue to pave the way for many young hockey players from Australia to follow their dreams of following a professional hockey career. “First and foremost you need to be working hard in whatever you’re doing” he said. “I think if you have a dream and want to pursue it then it needs to be all hands on deck and go out and do it” he concluded.

[whiskeyandsilk]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by julie (@heyjulieann)

SO MANY BEARS #defendtheden #hersheybears

[mitchbeck]

WOLF PACK’S CALDER CUP DREAMS ENDED BY BEARS

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack drew first blood in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division Finals but could not hold off a push from the Hershey Bears. The Bears scored four unanswered goals to pull away for a 4-1 decision in Game 3, sweeping the series 3-0 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Garrett Roe played the hero this night, notching his first multi-goal Calder Cup Playoff performance. His second goal of the night proved to be the game-winning tally. Roe was on a two-on-one with Chase Priskie before his pass hit the skate of Priskie and trickled back to him. He collected the puck on his backhand and snapped his third goal of the playoffs by Dylan Garand at 7:29 of the second period, making it 2-1 at the time. A late lineup addition in Matthew Phillips nearly put the Bears on the board in the opening seconds, striking iron with a one-time shot. Shortly thereafter, a delay of game penalty by Joe Snively at 25 seconds gave the Pack an early crack at the man advantage. Hershey applied heavy pressure on the penalty kill, not allowing the Wolf Pack to register a shot. The two sides exchanged chances in the ensuing minutes, highlighted by a Brett Berard backhander that nearly trickled by Hunter Shepard. It would be the Wolf Pack drawing first blood at 13:24, as Mac Hollowell fed a pass to the net front for Jaroslav Chmelař. The young forward waited out Shepard and stuffed home his second postseason goal at 13:24 to give Hartford a 1-0 lead. The Bears equalized early in the second period, tying the game just 1:56 in. Hardy Häman-Aktell had some space at the blue line and elected to fire a shot into a crowd of bodies screening Garand. The shot caught the stick of Roe, who deflected home his second goal of the playoffs to even the score. Just under six minutes later, Roe’s second of the period came off a fortuitous bounce and gave the Bears a lead they never lost. It was the second of three points on the night for Roe (2 g, 1 a). Bogdan Trineyev was awarded a penalty shot at 16:49 of the second period after being hauled down on a breakaway. However, he could not convert on it, missing on a backhand deke. The Wolf Pack had a late opportunity in the second period to find an equalizer on the powerplay, but the Bears' penalty kill again stood tall. A second Wolf Pack penalty in the third period gave the Bears another opportunity to extend their lead. It was on this chance, their fourth of the night, that Hershey cashed in. With just eight seconds left on the powerplay, Henrik Rybinski fed a net-crashing Matthew Strome from behind the net. Strome ripped home a one-timer to make it 3-1 at 11:52. The goal was his first career Calder Cup Playoff goal. Down two, the Wolf Pack pressured hard with the extra attacker in the final minutes. A slew of chances in the offensive zone came up empty, however. Mike Vecchione then landed the dagger, hitting the empty net to secure the 4-1 win and the sweep of Hartford. The goal was Vecchione’s first of the Calder Cup Playoffs. To stay updated with the Wolf Pack during the 2024 offseason, please visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com. About Oak View Group (OVG): Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues, and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues, either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers' newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOWLINGS Read the full article

[edm272]

Some pics from tonight @thehersheybears win!! Had a great time. @theahl #hersheybears (at Giant Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B67BaDIhrhg/?igshid=54l11rzetuuw

[preshusamber]

Ok #717 💃🏾 we gettin mentions on @abcnews this morn! Thx @kennethmoton 😘 #BlackDontCrack 👌🏾 Well done @thehersheybears & fans 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #TeddyBearToss #WorldRecord @abc27news @abcwnn #Hershey #Harrisburg #HarrisburgHershey #HersheyBears #ABC27News #ABCNews #AmericaThisMorning #KennethMoton https://www.instagram.com/p/B5kIXzpnthn/?igshid=1lb97r68xf9tu

[doesyourcatdothis]

[lookingforniki]

Great way to spend a Wednesday night. 🏒 #hersheybears #hockey #ahl #bearsbearsbears #hockeygame #whooooooo (at Giant Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Y5pXFgESo/?igshid=1vbd67nopxol2

[jessihardesty]

Belated #hersheybears snapshot from yesterday's winning game. #hbh #hbhimlovinit #ahl #icehockey #bw #sports (at Giant Center)