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.

SeasonCup WinnerFinalist
1940-41Cleveland BaronsHershey Bears
1941-42Indianapolis CapitalsHershey Bears
1944-45Cleveland BaronsHershey Bears
1946-47Hershey BearsPittsburgh Hornets
1947-48Cleveland BaronsHershey Bears
1948-49Providence RedsHershey Bears
1953-54Cleveland BaronsHershey Bears
1957-58Hershey BearsSpringfield Indians
1958-59Hershey BearsBuffalo Bisons
1960-61Springfield IndiansHershey Bears
1962-63Buffalo BisonsHershey Bears
1964-65Rochester AmericansHershey Bears
1968-69Hershey BearsQuebec Aces
1973-74Hershey BearsProvidence Reds
1975-76Nova Scotia VoyageursHershey Bears
1979-80Hershey BearsNew Brunswick Hawks
1985-86Adirondack Red WingsHershey Bears
1987-88Hershey BearsFredericton Express
1996-97Hershey BearsHamilton 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.)