Hershey Bears Head Athletic Trainer Shawn Fliszar Promoted to Washington Capitals Staff
The Washington Capitals are once again rewarding success from within their development system.
The Hershey Bears announced Tuesday that head athletic trainer Shawn Fliszar has been promoted to the Capitals, where he will serve as an assistant athletic trainer for Washington. The move continues a long-standing tradition of the Capitals elevating key personnel from their American Hockey League affiliate after strong performances in Hershey.
Fliszar has been a vital member of the Bears organization since joining the club as assistant athletic trainer in December 2020 after previous stops with the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators and Norfolk Admirals. Before the 2022-23 season, he earned a promotion to head athletic trainer, overseeing the health and rehabilitation of one of the AHL’s most successful franchises.
His tenure coincided with one of the greatest stretches in Hershey Bears history. While fans often focus on the players and coaches, the training staff plays a critical role in keeping a championship-caliber roster healthy throughout the grueling AHL schedule. Fliszar helped the Bears navigate injuries, recovery programs, and the demands of lengthy playoff runs while maintaining one of professional hockey’s deepest organizations.
Earlier in his Bears career, Fliszar was also among the American Hockey League athletic trainers honored with the Yanick Dupré Memorial Award for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing the extraordinary efforts made by league medical staffs during an unprecedented season.
A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Fliszar earned his bachelor’s degree from DeSales University before completing his master’s degree in athletic training at Moravian University. His resume also includes internships at Old Dominion University, Lehigh University, and Palisades High School, giving him experience across multiple levels of athletics before breaking into professional hockey.
For the Capitals, the promotion represents another example of the organization’s commitment to developing talent throughout every level of the franchise—not only players, but coaches, trainers, and hockey operations personnel. Washington has frequently promoted staff members from Hershey over the years, reinforcing the close relationship between the two organizations.
For Hershey, replacing Fliszar will not be easy. Athletic trainers often work behind the scenes, but they are among the most trusted members of any hockey organization, spending countless hours with players during rehabilitation, travel, practices, and games.
MSB Take: The Capitals continue to benefit from one of hockey’s strongest development pipelines. Promoting Shawn Fliszar recognizes years of championship-level work in Hershey while ensuring Washington adds an experienced professional who already understands the organization’s culture and expectations. It is another well-earned advancement from a Bears organization that continues to produce talent both on and off the ice.
