They are starting to play quite well again, are presently second in the AHL is terms of points.
They won last night 6 to 0 – over a rival; had great goal tending; Cody Eakin scored two goals and the defense is also wheeling and dealing and adding to the scoring and shots on goal.
Well done and thank you – read this story if you are so inclined.
Wish Dmitry Orlov a warm welcome. He is a talented young player with speed and an offensive gift. He was drafted by us in the second round in 2009 and developed by the Bears. This call-up is his first.
He has played quite well in Hershey and we are hopeful he can add some zest to our blue line.
Speed and the transition game are so vital in the NHL these days. Orlov has a good and heavy shot from the point. Wish him well.
Well done OFB – a nice look at what is up in Hershey and a good interview with newest Capital Dmitri Orlov. Orlov is a “hot” prospect. One of four it seems that we have in our pipeline and just about every trading partner at the deadline asked George McPhee about his availability. George was steadfast that these four “hot” prospects were unmovable. And they were.
In spite of your ongoing doom and gloom pixel generation, this was good work and a very unique and positive perspective and we are grateful for the commitment. Hershey is under transition. We support them well and we are partners in everything we do.
It has indeed been a grind of a year – compared to last season – in the regular season for us and for the Hershey Bears.
Despite the angst; the negative vibes; and the name calling the Caps are in the thick of things sitting with 80 points as I write this blog post. Thanks for all you do. Peace. Out.
One day I am hopeful that we can develop players in the D league as well as we develop players and have a partnership like the Caps do with the Hershey Bears.
Our Caps head coach and one main assistant coach were in Hershey where they both won championships as a head coach.
Many of the players in our lineup started in or played in the AHL and in Hershey. Many were developed and won championships in the AHL as young players. We care very much about our partnership with Hershey.
The players on two way deals come up and go back to Hershey often and are welcomed and are very productive for the Caps. Proximity is good.We try to teach a similar system and style. And we use similar vocabulary. And we schedule in a similar format.
We think development and retention of our teams and our players in an integrated fashion.
While today the rules are different between the AHL and the D league and our professional teams, I am hopeful that the D league can be developed and utilized to become an essential part of the overall program of success and excellence for our NBA team. We need to leverage all of the tools at our disposal in our rebuild.
Here is a story about the adventures of one of our draft picks who got to spend a month in North Dakota. Long Johns Hamady! Click here to review.
Hershey. Perfection. A great partnership. A great run.
Read this kick-off-the-season article about the Hershey Bears. We are grateful for this strong relationship.
The Hershey Bears. Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Rebuilding around youth.
Our formulae for long term success.
I received a nice and compelling email from a fan of all things sports related in DC. It had a unique perspective on things.
The fan said, “You are on a nice little roll but don’t get too cocky. The Bears, the Caps and the Mystics have all won their respective Eastern Conference titles in the same year. Too bad you can’t win three championships in the same year. NOW that would be an accomplishment. Good luck to you with the Mystics in the playoffs. Make it two titles out of three! And replace the Mystics attendance banners with a real banner this summer!”
It is sobering and thrilling to say that we now have three teams in our orbit that each won the Eastern Conference title in the same year.
So far only one ring - with our Hershey affiliate - but we certainly are building a winning culture and trying to create exciting teams that get results and compile terrific records. It is better than the alternative I guess. I am hopeful the Mystics learn from the Capitals’ mistakes and take this first round of the playoffs quite seriously.
But give credit where credit is due: Three Eastern Conference championships in the same year with teams we all work on regarding player acquisition; development; strategy and execution.
We have work to do but we are making progress. Thanks for making my day with that nice email.
Read this article about the Hershey Bears.
Historic. Wonderful. What a list of “wins.” 3 championships now as part of an affiliation with us in DC. They are the best of the best!
As articulated to everyone 5 years ago — rebuild the Washington Capitals in every fashion possible, create a new system and culture, affiliate with Hershey, build and manage the new Kettler Capitals Iceplex, re-launch the Capitals brand, build a new young core through the draft. And on and on.
Hershey is such a powerful partner to us, helping us to create a culture of winning expectations. Thank you so much. Click here to enjoy a bit of history.
What more can I say? Best franchise in the AHL, best team in the league, and best prospects too.
Another championship ring and another winner in every sense of the word.
Back to back championships.
Thank you. Kudos and congratulations to everyone associated with The Hershey Bears.
Our future is bright in Hershey and in Washington. We still have upside.
I am very proud of this association.
The system works.
The partnership is a terrific one.
Go Bears! The best of the best.
Check out their site.
Check out the game on Comcast Sportsnet.
Now if I could only find a way to get Hershey involved with the Wizards!
Go Bears!
Bring the Cup back to Hershey!
Hershey Bears were down 2-0. No problem. Lose both games at home!
Have to play three games on the road. No problem.
Three away games – three wins.
Poised to win another Calder Cup championship. Did you watch this game on Comcast SportsNet? It was wonderful and fun. What a game. What a team!
What a system. What an affiliate and what a partnership! Go Bears!