Jackson Bell
Staff Writer
The Hershey Bears are not just any minor league team. The American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Washington Capitals, the Bears serve as a pipeline for players, especially young players, to reach their goal of making the National Hockey League (NHL) a reality. The AHL aims to make their players NHL-ready by creating high-level competition where high draft picks develop and become NHL stars.
Hershey plays an important role in the Washington Capitals organization by giving future Washington Capitals a chance to play high-octane minutes consistently to grow into outstanding players.
Adam Kimelman, a writer for NHL.com, states, “The AHL provides the ultimate challenge for young athletes adjusting to the professional level, forcing them to develop consistency and resilience.”
Washington has seen tremendous growth among its prospects due to Hershey’s winning culture over the last decade. Winning 13 championships in the franchise’s history has given these prospects a huge advantage over other organizations because their players are always playing meaningful games.
Zack Fisch has been with the Hershey Bears and Washington Capitals Organization since the 2017-18 season. He has been a radio broadcaster and has seen a lot of prospects come through these organizations over the years.
“The Capitals and Bears believe winning and development go hand-in-hand,” Fisch said. “Washington firmly believes in building a winning team in Hershey and helping prospects play meaningful games and chase the Calder Cup.”
That message has rung true for players like Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas, who, before being regulars in the Washington lineup, were key contributors in Hershey’s first of back-to-back Calder Cups.
“McMichael and Protas struggled at the NHL level; they came to Hershey in 2023, played huge minutes, worked on their games extra with coaches and staff, and both played a pivotal role in Hershey’s Calder Cup title,” Fisch explained. “Now, they are both mainstays in the NHL.”
Another key contributor to these players’ success in the American League is the coaches and the main coaching staff in Hershey. The staff in Hershey tries to align with the same systems and values as Washington to make the transition easier for players moving from the AHL to the NHL.
“There is always someone here from Washington working with the players,” Fisch said. “Management, skills development coaches, skating coaches, goalie coaches, and more are always here helping players take their game to the next level.”
Being a consistent NHL player takes time to grasp and master. Fisch gave a player example named Ethen Frank, who now plays in Washington but gutted out a lot of time in Hershey before getting an opportunity.
“He was recalled, tore it up offensively right away, and while he’s been a bit quieter since, he’s adjusted. He’s ready for the NHL because he’s giving a consistent effort each night,” Fisch said.
AHL to the NHL is all about mental toughness and being able to look past the mental side of things, and worrying about your game can breathe success into the show.
Chris Button of The Hockey News described how Hershey is the place to be for an AHL destination, especially for developing players. “Beyond the game, Hershey offers an environment that nurtures players on and off the ice,” Button shared.
Fisch described similarly, “If you’re not going to be in the NHL, you want to be in Hershey. You’re treated right, you have amenities in a smaller, family-oriented town, and you’re a superstar to this loyal community.”
With Hershey and Washington’s tight relationship over the years, the organization has become a factory over the years for developing players. The relationship has been able to create outstanding hockey players over the years and has created an easier road for players looking to make the next step into the NHL.
