HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey Bears are coming off of back-to-back Calder Cup wins which means championship hardware made another stop at a children's hospital that has some of their biggest fans.
On Tuesday, the Calder Cup- along with several championship-winning Hershey Bears- stopped by the Penn State Children's Hospital as a way to give back to a community that has given so much to them.
"Just seeing the smiles every time we bring out the trophy or meet the Bears. They're smiling from ear to ear," said Hershey Bears defenseman Chase Priskie. "We always look forward to it. We get so much support from the community. The least we can do is come back, try to brighten up some days and just spend some time with all the kids here."
It was a chance to share a Calder Cup moment with kids who are just as passionate about winning as the players.
"[The Hershey Bears] bring in that history here for all of our kids and they all get to be a part of that by either touching the cup, holding the cup, or even just getting photos and getting to have that conversation [with the players]. So I think it's really neat to see," said Pam Baranowski, child life assistant at Penn State Health Children's Hospital.
Baranowski says it's a small gesture that goes a long way.
"They feel like it might be a little small, but really it's not. It is a big impact," said Baranowski. "Them coming out and doing these type of community events, bringing the kids out of their rooms, getting their spirits lifted. It's such a big impact that the Hershey bears have always done and have brought here at the children's hospital."
The team's yearly visit to the children's hospital, Calder Cup in hand or not, is part of their mission to strengthen the bond between themselves and the community it represents.
"Anything we can do to be more intertwined with the city of Hershey is fantastic," said Priskie. "I like to think it's one big family and definitely feels great."