ARSENE SIGNS WITH EDMONTON

It's been reported in the Patriot-News that it looks like Dean Arsene is going to Edmonton. Tim Leone, on patrol in Arlington, VA, reports a source that says Deano has shown up on the Oil roster. I can confirm here that is in fact the case. Arsene, as classy a guy as I've ever been around in a locker room, called me yesterday to confirm that he was moving on so I wouldn't read it somewhere else first.

Players come and go at the AHL level, sometimes with alarming frequency. But Deano has been part of the fabric of the community since the 2003-04 season, and was easily the longest tenured Bear on this year's club. In addition to his on ice play and community work, he also did close to 100 games on the radio with me over the years, and provided not only tremendous insight but great humor as well. As long as I've known number 29, today's news hits closer to home than any other off season move could have. But I know why he's going. It's the same reason that Graham Mink signed with Florida last week: opportunity. With a logjam at defense in the Washington organization, playing at the NHL level wasn't likely to happen here. Hopefully he'll have a better chance with the Oilers.

Dean, thanks for all the memories here during what turned out to be a most lengthy stay in central PA. "The Mayor" will be truly missed by many in these parts.

BIG DAY ON THE BARN

"The Old Barn Hockey Show" continues it's year-round run with a huge show today. You'll hear from new Bears head coach Mark French on his promotion here in Chocolatetown, and you'll also hear from Hershey's legendary President/GM Doug Yingst on the events of the day. Yingst also touches on the free agent market this summer, the signing of Boyd Kane and the departure of Graham Mink to Florida. We also touch on the firing of Washington manager Manny Acta, Pedro Martinez and his potential landing in Philly and much, much more. You can't stop the Barn, you can only hope to contain it. Monday nights at 6:00 p.m. eastern on 1460 The Ticket in Harrisburg, or anytime on demand at 1460TheTicket.com

MARK FRENCH NAMED HEAD COACH IN CHOCOLATETOWN

After a nationwide search for a new head coach, it turns out the best man for the job was already here. Mark French has been named on this Monday the new head coach of the Hershey Bears. The right hand man for Bob Woods the last season and a half who has a terrific rapport with the players will switch offices for the upcoming 2009-10 season.

I've got to be honest, this was what I was hoping for from the day that Woody called me and told me of his promotion to the Capitals. Frenchy's X's and O's are second to none, and his leadership skills are unquestioned. He becomes the second straight assistant coach here in Hershey to win a Calder Cup and then take over the head coaching duties.

Troy Mann, a one-time teammate of Bob Woods with Mississippi who played for Bruce Boudreau there, is the new assistant coach. Here are my pressers for HersheyBears.com with more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2009
CONTACT: John Walton – HERSHEY BEARS – (717) 682-6470

BEARS NAME MARK FRENCH 23RD HEAD COACH IN FRANCHISE HISTORY

FORMER ASSISTANT COACH PROMOTED AS HERSHEY PREPARES TO DEFEND ITS CALDER CUP CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2009-10

HERSHEY – The 2009 Calder Cup Champion HERSHEY BEARS announced today that Mark French has been named the 23rd head coach in team history. The announcement was made today by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst.

French ascends to the head coach’s office at GIANT Center after serving as an assistant coach to Bob Woods since January, 2008. Prior to his assistant coaching duties with HERSHEY, he was the head coach and director of hockey operations for the Wichita Thunder (CHL) from 2005-07. French also coached in the ECHL with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies during the 2004-05 season, walking the bench as assistant coach as the Bullies posted a 42-21-9 record. Along with extensive professional coaching experience, he also brings considerable collegiate experience, having been the head coach at Wilfrid Laurier University from 2002-04.

“After a nationwide search and talking to dozens of qualified candidates to guide the fortunes of our team next season, we found the best man for the job already had an office at GIANT Center,” said BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst. “His knowledge of the game and his relationship with the players make him an outstanding choice.”

A native of Milton, Ontario, French played college hockey at Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario, serving as captain for three years there and received the prestigious “212 Degrees” annual award all four seasons, presented to the athlete who demonstrates leadership, commitment and excellence on the ice.

French, 38, becomes the 23rd head coach in HERSHEY BEARS history, succeeding Bob Woods who was promoted to the Washington Capitals last month. He lives in HERSHEY with his wife Kimberly. They have two children, Ellie (2) and William, who was born during this past Calder Cup winning season.

Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR. Several ticket plans are available. The 2009-10 schedule will be released by the American Hockey League in early August.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2009
CONTACT: John Walton – HERSHEY BEARS – (717) 682-6470

HERSHEY NAMES TROY MANN AS TEAM’S NEW ASSISTANT COACH

FORMER ECHL HEAD COACH COMES TO CHOCOLATETOWN TO ASSIST HEAD COACH MARK FRENCH

HERSHEY – The 2009 Calder Cup Champion HERSHEY BEARS announced today that Troy Mann has been named the team’s new assistant coach, serving with head coach Mark French. The announcement was made today by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst.

Mann comes to HERSHEY after serving as associate head coach of the Charlotte Checkers (ECHL) in 2008-09. Prior to his stint with the Checkers, Mann was the head coach of the Columbia Inferno (ECHL) for two seasons from 2006-08.

As a player, Mann won the ECHL’s Kelly Cup while playing for the Mississippi Sea Wolves in 1998-99. He was a teammate of current Washington Capitals assistant coach Bob Woods that season, and the pair both played for current Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau during that championship run. Mann scored a career-high 33 goals for Mississippi during the 1996-97 campaign.

Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR. Several ticket plans are available. The 2009-10 schedule will be released by the American Hockey League in early August.

KANE BACK IN CHOCOLATETOWN

Hershey's captain from the 2006 Calder Cup Champion squad is back for another run in a Chocolate and White sweater. Left wing Boyd Kane has signed up for next season. Here's my press release about it for HersheyBears.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2009
CONTACT: John Walton – HERSHEY BEARS – (717) 682-6470

LEFT WING BOYD KANE RETURNS TO HERSHEY FOR 2009-10 SEASON

CAPTAIN OF 2006 CALDER CUP CHAMPION BEARS RETURNS TO HERSHEY LINEUP THIS FALL AS CHOCOLATE RELOAD FOR CALDER CUP TITLE DEFENSE

HERSHEY – The 2009 Calder Cup Champion HERSHEY BEARS announced today the signing of left wing Boyd Kane to a contract for the upcoming 2009-10 season. The announcement was made today by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst.

Kane, 31, returns to HERSHEY after skating the last three seasons with Philadelphia (AHL). He scored 45 goals over the last three campaigns with the Phantoms after captaining the BEARS to the 2006 Calder Cup, his only season in the Chocolate and White. Kane also served as captain of the Phantoms in 2004-05, leading Philadelphia to the 2005 Calder Cup championship. Kane is one of only two men in AHL history to lead two different teams to Calder Cup titles in consecutive seasons. Former HERSHEY skater Dave Fenyves led both the BEARS and Rochester Americans to AHL championships in 1987 and 1988.


A native of Swift Current, SK, Kane returns to HERSHEY with 28 games of NHL experience, mostly coming in a Philadelphia Flyers uniform over the last three seasons.

Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR. Several ticket plans are available. The 2009-10 schedule will be released by the American Hockey League in early August.

MORRISON SIGNS, AHL RULE CHANGES

Lost in the news on Friday that Graham Mink has signed with the Florida Panthers was Washington's free agent signing of Brendan Morrison. He's been injured the last couple of seasons, but what a depth guy to add.

http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=436776

The American Hockey League's board of governors wrapped up its meeting Friday, with some tweaks to the rules for 2009-10. Gone are the one minute penalties in overtime, and the shootout is going to a different format. No longer will just five shooters rotate past five rounds, everyone grab a stick and get ready. Also, there is now a crossover possibility in the East Division for the Calder Cup playoffs. If the fifth place team in the Atlantic has more points than the fourth place team in the East, that team crosses over. It would seem given the East's dominance over the last half dozen years or so, that possibility is unlikely. But if it happens, an East Division champ could see a team from New England in the first round instead of a divisional rival. Read the whole release from the AHL here.

http://theahl.com/news/league/index.html?article_id=10299

MINK SIGNS WITH FLORIDA PANTHERS

The big line of Giroux-Aucoin-Mink is officially history. As reported by Tim Leone this afternoon in the Patriot-News (and I've gotten a call from Rochester as well this afternoon, also confirming), Graham Mink has signed a contract with the Florida Panthers/Rochester Americans. The Stowe, VT native was talking with Washington/Hershey as well, but this move had nothing to do with money and everything to do with opportunity. With a logjam of forwards in front of him in D.C., Mink now has a good chance of skating in the NHL next season in south Florida, and fulfilling his dream of skating regularly at the next level.

I hated hearing the news this afternoon that Graham was leaving. I really hoped there would be a way for him to hang around, but you can't blame the guy for chasing a dream. The schedule grid released this week shows Hershey and Rochester playing four times this year. If the dream is on schedule for "Big Goal" Graham, we won't see him in any of the four, because Florida will have kept him with the big club. A career high 32 goals this season certainly got the attention of the Cats.

Good luck Minker. Your legend in Hershey is safe for good, with two Cups in your two seasons with us. You're a great player and an even better person on and off the ice.

IOWA CHOPPED, BEARS UNVEIL OPPONENTS

The Iowa Chops are done in Des Moines, as the AHL announces the new alignment for 2009-10. Syracuse is now in the East Division, as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers shuffle off to the Atlantic. The Bears also announced this afternoon the opponents for the upcoming 2009-10 season, including four games with the Manitoba Moose.

Check out the information below for more info...

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The Iowa Chops American Hockey League franchise has been involuntarily suspended for the 2009-10 season by the league’s Board of Governors, effective July 6, 2009.

“The Iowa franchise has unfortunately been unable to remedy certain violations of the provisions of the league’s Constitution and By-Laws,” said American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews.

There will be no further statement from the league at this time.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2009
CONTACT: John Walton-HERSHEY BEARS – (717) 682-6470

BEARS ANNOUNCE GRID OF OPPONENTS FOR UPCOMING 2009-10 SEASON

FOUR GAMES WITH WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION MANITOBA MOOSE, 12 GAMES WITH IN-STATE RIVAL WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON AMONG HIGHLIGHTS

HERSHEY – The 2009 Calder Cup Champion HERSHEY BEARS announced today the team’s opponents for the upcoming 2009-10 season. The announcement was made today by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst.

The 2009-10 season has seen a shift in alignment in the East Division, with the addition of the Syracuse Crunch and the move of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to the Atlantic Division. The Adirondack Phantoms, relocated this offseason from Philadelphia, remain in the East for the upcoming campaign.

The BEARS will play the following teams in 2009-10, with an equal number of games both at GIANT Center and in the opponent’s arena:

East Division:

Adirondack: 4/4
Albany: 4/4
Binghamton: 4/4
Norfolk: 5/5
Syracuse: 3/3
WB/Scranton: 6/6

North Division:

Lake Erie: 1/1
Manitoba: 2/2
Rochester: 2/2
Toronto: 1/1

Atlantic Division:

Bridgeport: 1/1
Hartford: 1/1
Lowell: 1/1
Manchester: 1/1
Portland: 1/1
Providence: 1/1
Springfield: 1/1
Worcester: 1/1


Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR. Several ticket plans are available. The 2009-10 schedule will be released by the American Hockey League in early August.