Capitals to honor Hershey Bears 13th Calder Cup title on Wednesday

The Hershey Bears achieved greatness over the summer by winning their second straight Calder Cup. Once again the Washington Capitals are pulling out all the stops ahead of Wednesday night's game against the Nashville Predators. Bears representatives will be on hand for a ceremonial puck drop.

Per the press release from the Caps, fans are invited to the Signature Club at Capital One Arena beginning at 6 p.m. to give them the opportunity to take a photo with the Calder Cup. Caps alums and giveaways will also be available.

In addition, the Calder Cup will be displayed on the 100 level concourse during the first period. Herhsey defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds 5-4 in overtime of Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals in a roaring Giant Center to capture their AHL record 13th championship.

Since becoming the top developmental affiliate of the Caps in 2005-06, the Bears won five Calder Cups. The other years were 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2023. From 1977 to 1984, the Caps and Bears were also affiliated and Hershey would capture the Calder Cup championshp in 1980 during that stretch.

The Bears raised their banner on Oct. 12 and got a 7-3 win over the Cleveland Monsters with goals coming from Vincent Iorio, a hat trick from Ethen Frank, a goal from Ethan Bear and another one from Luke Philp.

After dropping the second game, the Bears rebounded with a 3-2 win over the Bridgeport Islanders. They would split a weekend series with the Chicago Wolves, winning the second game 5-0 behind a shutout from Hunter Shepard with 26 saves. It gave head coach Todd Nelson his 100th career regular season win.

Ethen Frank had two goals and an assist while Ivan Miroshnichenko had a goal and assist as each finished with three points. For Shepard it was his ninth careeer shutout which tied Frederic Cassivi for 11th in franchise history.

During the final weekend of Ocober the Bears would win three games. First it was a 2-1 win over the Providence Bruins on Friday the 25th and they'd do it again two days later. On the 26th they'd crush the Springfield Thunderbirds by a final of 6-2.

Hershey currently sits at the top of the Atlantic Division with a 7-3-1 record for 15 points. They're ahead of the Charlotte Checkers and Wikes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.