Who are the Bears?
The Hershey B'ars were founded in 1938, but quickly changed their name to the Hershey Bears when they came under fire for being too "commercial". The Bears have been playing hockey in the same arena for the past 62 years and in those years the Bears have attracted many second and third generation fans. As Gordie Howe has said, "Anyone who is anybody in hockey, has played in Hershey."
 | Hershey Bears' goalie J.F. Labbe hoists the Calder Cup in Hamilton, Ont. Friday night after the Bears beat the Hamilton Bulldogs 4-1 to capture the American Hockey League championship in five games. (1997) |
The Bears have reached the final round of the Calder Cup playoffs 19 times and have walked away with the cup 8 of those times over the years.
Season | Cup Winner | Finalist |
1940-41 | Cleveland Barons | Hershey Bears |
1941-42 | Indianapolis Capitals | Hershey Bears |
1944-45 | Cleveland Barons | Hershey Bears |
1946-47 | Hershey Bears | Pittsburgh Hornets |
1947-48 | Cleveland Barons | Hershey Bears |
1948-49 | Providence Reds | Hershey Bears |
1953-54 | Cleveland Barons | Hershey Bears |
1957-58 | Hershey Bears | Springfield Indians |
1958-59 | Hershey Bears | Buffalo Bisons |
1960-61 | Springfield Indians | Hershey Bears |
1962-63 | Buffalo Bisons | Hershey Bears |
1964-65 | Rochester Americans | Hershey Bears |
1968-69 | Hershey Bears | Quebec Aces |
1973-74 | Hershey Bears | Providence Reds |
1975-76 | Nova Scotia Voyageurs | Hershey Bears |
1979-80 | Hershey Bears | New Brunswick Hawks |
1985-86 | Adirondack Red Wings | Hershey Bears |
1987-88 | Hershey Bears | Fredericton Express |
1996-97 | Hershey Bears | Hamilton Bulldogs |
Over the years, Hershey has been home to many players starting their hockey careers. The list of Bears alumni reads like a "Who's Who" of Hockey.
The Bears are affiliated with the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL and with the Pensacola Ice Pilots in the ECHL. (You can find links to more information on these fine teams under my links sections.)
