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Eric Lindros and John LeClair to face off against Hershey Bears alumni before January outdoor game

By Madeline Dement

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October 19, 2017 2:02 pm

As part of the celebration of the Hershey Bears’ 80th year as an organization, the team will be hosting the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic Alumni Game against Philadelphia Flyers Alumni on January 19th at Hersheypark Stadium. It was announced today that some of the players who will be joining the ice for the Flyers Alumni include Hockey Hall of Famer Eric Lindros John LeClair, Danny Briere, and Kimmo Timonen.

Other players confirmed for the Flyers Alumni roster include Arron Asham, Terry Carkner, Riley Cote, Todd Fedoruk, Bob Kelly, Tim Kerr, Brian Propp, Doug Crossman, Jeff Chychrun, Larry Goodenough, Brad Marsh, and Joe Watson. Watson will be playing at a ripe 74 years of age. Hockey Hall of Famer Bernie Parent will serve as a Flyers coach.

The Philadelphia Flyers were affiliated with the Hershey Bears from 1984-1996, when the Bears served as a feeder team to Philadelphia. The Flyers are currently affiliated with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, who will be Hershey’s opponent in their Outdoor Classic game on January 20th.

“We can’t wait to welcome back some of the all-time greats in Hershey history, and we’re thrilled to partner with the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Association,” said Hershey Vice President of Hockey Operations Bryan Helmer. “With the Bears and Phantoms both having current and past ties to the Flyers, we saw this as a chance to bring some exciting NHL stars to our loyal fans while celebrating our history.”

He continued to say “The Phantoms are still working on building an alumni following, and the Flyers Alumni Association is very active in the local community, so we saw this as a perfect fit to add even more excitement to the can’t-miss event of our 80th Anniversary Season.”

Players joining the Hershey Alumni team include fan favorites like Greg Amadio, Dennis Bonvie, Freddy Cassivi, Bryan Helmer, Graham Mink, and Pascal Trepanier.

Complete rosters for both teams will be announced in the next few months.

More from the Bears:

(Hershey, PA- October 19, 2017)-The Hershey Bears have partnered with the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Association to announce the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic Alumni Game, set to take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 at Hersheypark Stadium. The game will feature former NHL stars including Hockey Hall of Famer Eric Lindros, Danny Briere, John LeClair, and Kimmo Timonen skating for the Flyers Alumni, and going head-to-head against many fan-favorite Hershey Bears alumni.

The Alumni Game is part of festivities for the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic, which features the Bears hosting the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday, Jan. 20 at Hersheypark Stadium. The Alumni Game is included in ticket packages for the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic, which are on sale now at the Giant Center Box Office, by calling 717-534-3911, or online via Ticketmaster. Ticket packages start at just $59.

Confirmed members of the Flyers Alumni Association who will play in the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic Alumni Game includes recent stars Eric Lindros, Danny Briere, John LeClair, and Kimmo Timonen. Lindros, 44, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016. The former MVP and member of the “Legion of Doom” line was one of the NHL’s brightest stars, scoring 865 points in 760 career games. His number 88 is being retired by the Flyers in January.

In addition to recent stars, several Stanley Cup Champions and former Bears will skate for the Flyers Alumni Association, including forwards Arron Asham, Terry Carkner, Riley Cote, Todd Fedoruk, Bob Kelly, Tim Kerr, Brian Propp, as well as defenders Doug Crossman, Jeff Chychrun, Larry Goodenough, Brad Marsh, and Joe Watson, who will play at 74 years of age. In goal, former Bear Neil Little is confirmed to play for the Flyers, while Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent, along with Paul Holmgren, will serve as coaches.

For the Hershey Alumni, fans will have an opportunity to welcome back many of the best players to ever wear the Chocolate and White. Confirmed participants include Greg Amadio, Dennis Bonvie, Freddy Cassivi, Bryan Helmer, Graham Mink, and Pascal Trepanier.

The Flyers Alumni Association features many ties to Hershey and the AHL. The Flyers were affiliated with the Bears from 1984-1996, and numerous players started their professional careers in Central Pennsylvania before advancing to the NHL. The Phantoms, Hershey’s opponent in the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic, currently serve as the AHL affiliate of the Flyers.

“The Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Association is proud to partner with the Hershey Bears for the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic Alumni Game,” said Brad Marsh, President of the Flyers Alumni Association. “The AHL has played a large role in developing many members of the Flyers, and many members of our Alumni Association. We’re excited to play in front of the dedicated and passionate fans in Hershey, and we look forward to taking the ice versus the Bears.”

All players scheduled to participate in the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic Alumni Game are subject to change. Complete rosters for both the Flyers Alumni Association and the Hershey Bears Alumni will be announced in the coming months.

Tickets to the Alumni Game must be purchased as part of a ticket package to the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic. In addition to entry to both the Alumni Game and the marquee matchup vs. Lehigh Valley, fans also receive access to Pepsi Fan Fest, and a 2018 Hersheypark pass as part of the ticket package. For more information, fans may visit HersheyBears.com/tickets/outdoor-classic/

Headline photo: Bruce Bennett

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