The Capitals will continue their longtime partnership with Hershey through 2030.
The Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears have been working together for years now, and that partnership will remain intact for another six years.
Washington and Hershey announced on Monday that they extended their AHL affiliation agreement through the 2029-30 season. The two franchises have worked together since the 2005-06 season.
"The Hershey Bears have played an integral role in the successful development and maturation of players within the Washington Capitals organization for many years, and we are excited to extend our affiliation for the next six seasons and continue our longstanding partnership," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said in a statement. "Not only have we had players come through Hershey, but several coaches currently on our staff and members of our support staff have plied their trade with the Bears before joining the Capitals."
Since becoming the Capitals' affiliate in 2005, Herhsey has posted a 783-428-72-91 record (.629 point percentage) while winning four Calder Cups, the most recent coming last season. The Bears have won a record 12 Calder Cups, and no NHL-AHL pairing has captured more Calder Cups since 2005-06 than Washington and Hershey. Hershey has also qualified for the playoffs in 14 of the last 16 seasons, excluding the 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns where playoffs were not held due to COVID-19.
The Capitals have had 16 Hershey products appear in at least one NHL game this season: Alex Alexeyev, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, John Carlson, Martin Fehervary, Hardy Haman Aktell, Lucas Johansen, Hendrix Lapierre, Beck Malenstyn, Dylan McIlrath, Connor McMichael, Sonny Milano, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Aliaksei Protas, Hunter Shepard, Joe Snively and Tom Wilson.
Head coach Spencer Carbery, assistant coach Scott Allen, goaltending coach Scott Murray and video coach Emily Engel-Natzke also spent time developing and working in Hershey before joining D.C. Assistant athletic trainer Murphy Luatua and assistant strength and conditioning coach Mike Wagner also worked down in Hershey before joining the Capitals support staff.