Bite-Size Bears Blog: Mid August
Hello everyone, it is the “Month without Hockey!” or as normal people call it August. As I look around the sports landscape I see nothing but, baseball, WNBA, preseason NFL, Thank God College Football is returning this weekend, kinda.
However, this month we have had some Bears news drop and since August is a very busy month for me, I decided to do some quick-hitting posts about the Bears current happenings. We are still a month out from NHL training camps and NHL preseason though
We start with Hershey signing Casey Bailey to a PTO back on July 30th, the Penn State (WE ARE!!!) product, and former AHL All-Star is a good signing for the Bears. When I looked up his stats, one name came to mind: Nathan Walker, a 3rd liner Winger that is a jack of all trades, also see Gazley, Dustin. I am excited about this signing and hope he makes it, having a PSU grad in Hershey just feels so right.
Next, we have Matthew Weis signing on August 1st, played last season with the Chicago Wolves where he had 11 points (3G and 8A). He also had 2 goals and 2 assists in the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Jersey kid and Ohio State Product could be a good depth piece for Hershey.
Wait a minute, we could have a Penn State and Ohio State players in Hershey next season…
Hershey then signed. sigh, another defenseman in Eddie Whitchow, played 2 seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds (2016-18), he went overseas last year to the Sm-Iiiga KooKoo Kouvola (I have no idea what that is)
I want to be excited about this signing, but its another D signing and another body that could get shipped to South Carolina.
On August 12th, Hershey signed Cole Ully to a 1-year AHL Deal, originally drafted by Texas, he has been up and down in the Dallas organization. 4 seasons with the Texas Stars and 1 season with the Idaho Steelheads (Yes, Idaho has an ECHL hockey team) Another Forward signing for the Bears, because yes, we need those, we have 9 D signed for next season and 14 forwards on staff for September. I think we are good!
Matt Moulson did an interview video on Twitter and you can see it here, it was strange.
One of our newest Bears, Matt Moulson (@MMoulson) stopped by Giant Center yesterday for a visit! Voice of the Bears @zackfisch chatted with Moulson on choosing Hershey as a new destination in his career #HBH pic.twitter.com/T5trKHsmEK
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 16, 2019
Zach Fisch did probably his last summer mailbag article, I recommend you read it because it was very good indeed, also he is a proud papa!
https://www.hersheybears.com/news/detail.php?id=5951
The Promotion schedule was released as my partner in crime Matt Bachota mentioned on the Hershey Bears Fan Club page.
Specialty Jerseys are Hockey Fights Cancer, Throwback, Chocolate Covered, and St Patricks Day, I always love going to those to see the money being thrown around.
Lastly, Hershey released its preseason schedule,
Friday, September 27 in WBS
Saturday, September 28th home Vs WBS
Monday, September 30th at LVP
I don’t mind the home and home against WBS, it has become a tradition around here, but a Monday in Allentown and 6 days before the season starts, I’ve seen worse. I am not thrilled about seeing the Phantoms more then I have to, especially one more game in the Electrodrome (PPL Center)
And that’s it, a lot to unpack in the low tide of the hockey year, signings, schedules and some weird stuff that is out there. Slowly the team is coming together, heck Samsonov and AA are already practicing in Kelter Ice Complex.
Well, I am off to draft my Fantasy Football team and look ahead to my trip to Darlington for my 1st NASCAR race. See you next time and remember
Keep Your Stick On The Ice!
