HERSHEY, Pa. — Note: The video is from Sept. 19.
The Hershey Bears are beginning preparations to defend their Calder Cup championship this week, and on Monday released their roster for training camp.
The Bears scheduled two practice sessions Monday morning in the GIANT Center, and will continue workouts all week. The sessions are free and open to the public. A practice schedule for the remainder of the week will be available on the team's website.
Earlier this month, Bears players on NHL and AHL contracts had a workout at the training complex for their NHL affiliate, the Washington Capitals, but Monday's sessions are the first official workouts in Hershey.
Here's the initial roster for training camp:
Forwards (23):
Jack Adams*, Grant Cruikshank, Jeremy Davidson*, Pierrick Dubé, Ethen Frank, Zac Funk, Ryan Hofer, Kyler Kupka*, Ryan Leibold*, Alex Limoges, Austin Magera, Erik Middendorf, Micah Miller, Justin Nachbaur, Garrett Roe, Henrik Rybinski, Brennan Saulnier, Matt Strome, Riley Sutter, Alex Suzdalev, Bogdan Trineyev, Mike Vecchione, Tyler Weiss
Defensemen (13):
Powell Connor*, Logan Day**, Hardy Häman Aktell, Brad Hunt, Vincent Iorio, Jayden Lee, Nicky Leivermann, Jake Massie, Jon McDonald**, Aaron Ness, Dmitry Osipov, Chase Priskie, Hudson Thornton
Goaltenders (4):
Garin Bjorklund, Seth Eisele*, Mitch Gibson, Clay Stevenson
* Indicates player on a Training Camp Tryout ** Indicates player who is currently injured
Among those participating in the opening day of Hershey's 2024 Training Camp are 18 players who played in last year's playoffs and helped Hershey to the 2024 Calder Cup Championship, the team said.
Returning players include alternate captains Mike Vecchione and Aaron Ness, forward Matt Strome, who scored the Game 6 overtime goal to give Hershey its 13th championship, Ethen Frank and Pierrick Dube, the club's top two goals scorers in the 2023-24 season, and goaltender Clay Stevenson, the AHL's leader in shutouts in 2023-24.
Additionally, the Washington Capitals have sent forwards Luke Philp and Spencer Smallman to Hershey to continue their injury rehabilitation, but both cannot be officially added to the roster until they are healthy.
The Bears have also announced that forward Brett Hyland will not be joining the club for the 2024-25 season and that he has been released from his AHL contract.
The 2024 Training Camp roster will be updated at HersheyBears.com over the next week, the team said.
Several additions are expected to join the Bears roster, as Hershey's NHL affiliate, the Washington Capitals, will have to reduce their camp roster to a maximum of 23 skaters.