BREAKING NEWS: Hershey Bears sign forward Grant Besse to an AHL contract
ECHL rookie leading scorer signs with the Bears
Besse, a former fifth round draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2013 NHL Draft, has been signed by the Hershey Bears today. Grant Besse had 62 points in 62 games in ECHL with the Norfolk Admirals.
✍️ NEWS: The Bears have signed forward Grant Besse (@G_Besse12) to an AHL contract. He led @ECHL rookies in scoring last season, and posted 7 points in 11 games with @monstershockey. https://t.co/RwgYa652j4 #HBH #DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/VALYisCFcb
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 23, 2018
According to the voice of the Hershey Bears Zack Fisch, the Bears are getting a Dustin Gazley like player with speed and a nice skill set that could make him a third or fourth line forward with the Bears. If Grant does not make the Bears out of camp the rights to Besse are now owned by the South Carolina Stingrays and not the Norfolk Admirals. Either way Grant stays in the Washington Capitals organization.
As Besse was on an ECHL contract last season, Norfolk had retained his rights, so South Carolina had to trade for them. Now, if Besse does not make the Bears, he can be assigned to the Stingrays. #HBH https://t.co/aNx4nRQuSB
— Zack Fisch (@zackfisch) August 23, 2018
Below is the official hersheybears.com press release:
The Hershey Bears announced today the club has signed forward Grant Besse to a one-year, American Hockey League contract for the 2018-19 season.
Besse, 24, was the top scoring rookie in the ECHL last year, compiling 62 points (30 goals, 32 assists) in 62 games with the Norfolk Admirals. He led the Admirals in goals and game-winning goals (4), and finished second on the club in assists and points. The Plymouth, Minn. native played in the 2018 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, and earned a spot on the ECHL All-Rookie Team for his play.
The skilled, 5-foot-10, 186-pound forward earned a professional tryout with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters at the conclusion of last season, finishing with seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 11 games. His first AHL goal came on Mar. 28 at Stockton, and he registered three assists on Apr. 8 versus San Antonio.
Prior to turning professional, Besse played four seasons for the University of Wisconsin, including two campaigns as an alternate captain. He posted 97 career points (39 goals, 58 assists) in 138 career NCAA games, and helped the Badgers, who at the time were coached by former Hershey head coach Mike Eaves, to a 2014 Big Ten Championship.
In 2013, Besse was named Minnesota Mr. Hockey, an honor given annually to the outstanding senior high school boys’ hockey player in the state of Minnesota. He led Benilde-St. Margaret’s School to a Minnesota state championship in 2012, scoring all five goals in his team’s 5-1 win over Hill-Murray in the 2A title game.
Besse was originally a 5th round selection of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2013 NHL Draft.
