Bears New Threads and other tibbits

Chocolate and White Announce New Jersey Designs for 2009-10

08/25/2009 - (HERSHEY, PA) — The Bears have given their jerseys a face-lift after coming off of the franchise's 10th Calder Cup victory. There are three new designs: home jersey, away jersey, and home alternate jersey. The make of the jersey has remained the same, but the appearance has changed. Anyone looking to purchase one of the new jerseys can do so on opening night, October 3. As always, fans can customize their jerseys to have specific names on the back. Jerseys will be available after opening night at the Hershey Sports store, which is located inside Giant Center and is open Monday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The above picture and press release courtesy of www.hersheybears.com

NOTES: The Washington Capitals will open their Rookie Camp on Monday Sept. 7th at Kettler Capitals Ice Plex. The Rookie portion of the camp will conclude with a scrimmage against the Philadelphia Flyers rookies on Friday at the Flyers practice arena. The main camp will open on Sunday September 13th.

"Sugar" in Chocolatetown

The Hershey BEARS have added a legit heavyweight to their roster for the 2009-2010 season. Brandon Sugden has been signed to a one year AHL contract with the BEARS. Check out John Walton's press release, interview with Doug Yingst and Mark French and the story behind the BEARS newest enforcer here: http://johnwaltonhockey.blogspot.com/

Back from Vacation

Since the start of my vacation, alot has happened on the BEARS front. The biggest news of the offseason to date has to be the resigning of Alex Giroux. What a coupe for Doug Yingst and George McPhee to land Alex back in the organization. Also the BEARS added veteran goalie Jason Bacashihua to provide goaltending depth. The club also signed Andrew Joudrey to an AHL 1-year contract for the upcoming season. Stick with us here at Dupree in the Sin Bin for any other breaking news.

I will be headed north to the Walton Estate this weekend to take in an evening of poker and morning of golf with John Walton, Scott Stuccio, Grady Whitenburg, Pete Michaud and a few other East Division friends. Check back here over the weekend for updates on all the fun.

Going on Vacation!!

With Free Agent news all but grinding to a halt, I will be heading to the beach with the family for a week. If any news would arise, either BEARS or Caps related, check out John Walton's blog(http://www.johnwaltonhockey.com/) or Tim Leone at http://www.pennlive.com/. In a few weeks I will be heading north to Central PA to catch up with some of the voice's of the East Division for the Annual AHL/East Division Golf & Poker outing. Should be fun again this year. Talk to all of you in a few weeks.

Development Camp Another Success

The 2009 Caps Summer Development Camp has come to an end. The Caps rookie draft picks, free agents and second year guys have completed another weeks worth of workouts and scrimmages.

Todays scrimmage was played in front of a packed house at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex. For the second year in a row the main rink was "sold out". People were standing five and six people deep along the boards. The players have all metioned through various interviews this week, that they have been suprised by the amount of specatators showing up for the workouts. There is nothing like hockey in July.

All of the players will be heading home to take a few days off before getting back out in the weight room or on the ice to prepare for their upcoming seasons. Most assuradly these guys will be ready to go come training camp in September for the big club, or their Junior or college clubs. They can all however take away one thing from this week in suburban DC, Washington is a hockeytown that loves its team.

The Mayors Term has ended in Hershey

News out of Central PA today is that Dean Arsene has signed a one year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers/Springfield Falcons. Deano was the longest tenured BEAR and will most certainly be missed on and off the ice. Deano was offered a chance to compete for a spot in the NHL,which according to reports wasn't going to come from Washington. It's sad to see Deano move on but just like the rest of us he is chasing a dream.

Photo Courtesy of pennlive.com

Mark French named Head Coach of the BEARS

Mark French has been named the 23rd head coach in BEARS history today. French replaces Bob Woods who has promoted to Assistant Coach in Washington. Here is the release from John Walton: http://johnwaltonhockey.blogspot.com/2009/07/mark-french-named-head-coach-in.html

Caps Development Camp starts tomorrow

Here is a link to the list af scheduled attendee's to the Caps Development Camp:

http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436606

Camp starts tomorrow at Kettler and all on ice workouts/scrimmages are open to the public. Make sure you stop by and check out the future of the organization.

Minker Moves on, Kane comes back

The last few days have been busy for Doug Yingst and the Bears. On Friday Grahm Mink signed a 2 year, 2-way deal with the Florida Panthers. Mink believes his best shot a getting back to the NHL comes in the Panthers organization and who can blame him for wanting to achieve the dream. His veteran leadership,both on and off the ice, will be missed in the BEARS locker room.

Twelve hours after Mink signed with the Panther/Amerks, Boyd Kane decided he wanted to come back to the BEARS. His veteran presence will surely help take some of the sting out of Minker's leaving.

http://www.pennlive.com/hersheybears/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/124737271219110.xml&coll=1//

http://www.pennlive.com/hersheybears/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/124728272448140.xml&coll=1

Both pictures courtesy of ahl.com

Caps make Qualifying Offers

According to Tarik El Bashir of the Washington Post, the Caps have extended QO's to: Eric Fehr, Boyd Gordon, Shaone Morrisonn, Milan Jurcina and Jeff Schultz. They also extended QO's to Chris Bourque, Steve Pinizzotto and Kyle Wilson. Those players not extended offers were Sasha Pokulok, Darren Machesney, Travis Morin and Andrew Joudrey. The Rookie Camp starts in a few weeks at the Plex in Arlington,VA. Stay tuned for a list of prospects who will be in attendance.

Alot has happened since we were all last together

As this season rolled on my duties with the BEARS expanded,which allowed me alot less time to blog. We were all last together in March with the division very much still up for grabs.

We all know how that turned out(see picture to the left). The BEARS rolled through Philly in the first round. The Phantoms had to use all their energy in the last few weeks, just to make the playoffs and it showed.

The second round featured,what many thought should be the Conference Finals. The BEARS and Pens won all of their home games. Thankfully for the BEARS they had home ice. This series was also the coming out party for Michael Neuvirth. He of the back-to-back shutouts in games six and seven.

The Conference Finals pitted the BEARS against the Bruins. The P-Bruins took game one against the BEARS at GIANT Center. The BEARS though never shuttered. They went on to win the next four games in row to advance to the Calder Cup Finals for the third time in the last four season.

What a series the Finals were. Record attendance in both buildings. Hard hits, tape to tape passes, breath taking goals and rock solid goaltending. The BEARS came from behind in game one to win in ovetime, thanks to Alex Giroux. The Moose didn't give up and took game two in MTS Center. With games three, four and five at GIANT Center, the BEARS had a chance to clinch the Cup on home ice for the first time in 29 years. They had that chance in game five. However, the Moose were determined to send the series back to Winnipeg and they did with a win in the last game at the GC for the season. The BEARS were a team not be denied. They played their best period of the season in game six. And before the Moose fans could take their seats the wind was taken out of the MTS Center. The BEARS never looked back and for the second time in four years have won the Calder Cup.

Check back throughout the summer for Free Agent updates and other BEARS/CAPS news and notes.(Washington has already resigned Quintin Laing, Sean Collins and Tyler Sloan.

Have a wonderful summer everyone.

Game Articles for 3/15/09 vs. Bridgeport

http://www.pennlive.com/hersheybears/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1237170306179890.xml&coll=1

Above is Tim Leone's game story.