Harrison Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThe Hershey Bears have signed goaltender Antoine Keller to a one-year deal, it was announced earlier this week.
Keller, a 2023 seventh round pick of the Washington Capitals, spent this past season splitting time between the NL (Lausanne HC) and SL (HC La Chaux-de-Fonds) in Switzerland, the top and second-tier pro leagues, respectively. In two SL appearances, Keller went 2-0-0 while posting a 1.95 GAA and a .936 SP. With Lausanne, Keller collected a record of 5-5-0 along with a 3.16 GAA and a .894 SP in 13 games.
A product of Dijon, France, Keller played the majority of his junior hockey in Switzerland but also has one season of North American experience under his belt, having suited up for the QMJHL's Acadie-Bathurst Titan last year.
With Keller set to join the Bears, he may find it difficult to get games out of the gate and will likely start the year with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays. With that being said, he could be a solid candidate to watch as the season progresses.