The Hershey Bears announced that they signed Capitals 2021 fifth-round draft pick Haakon Hänelt to an amateur tryout agreement on Thursday.
Hänelt joins the Bears after his season with the DEL’s Cologne Sharks ended with a playoff defeat in the first round. The 20-year-old center recorded two points (1g, 1a) in 38 regular season games and one assist in two playoff games.
We've signed forward forward Haakon Hänelt to a professional tryout agreement. Hänelt was selected in the 5th round of the 2021 NHL Draft by the @Capitals and spent this season playing in his native Germany.
rabbittransit | Roster Moves
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) March 28, 2024
Hänelt, who is good friends with current Capitals players Hendrix Lapierre and Vincent Iorio, had played the previous two seasons in the QMJHL with the Gatineau Olympiques before deciding to head back to his native Germany’s pro league this season. The young center recorded 28 points (5g, 23a) in 50 games in two injury-impacted years with the Olympiques.
Hänelt made Germany’s World Juniors roster in back-to-back years (2022, 2023) but only played in the 2022 tournament due to a foot injury he suffered right before the 2023 games. In two games in 2022, he recorded two points (1g, 1a) in five games including the game-winning goal against Switzerland that sent Germany to the quarterfinals.
This will be Hänelt’s first spell with the Bears and it could come at a very good time for him. Hershey is struggling with a lack of depth right now due to both injuries and having five of their expected lineup regulars currently up with the Capitals. The agreement will likely see him stick with the Bears through the AHL playoffs as a black ace.
Hershey has just nine games remaining on their schedule before the end of their excellent regular season. The 46-12-0 Bears are set for a first-round playoff bye into the division semifinals just like they were last season when they eventually fought their way to the franchise’s 12th Calder Cup championship.
Here’s the press release from the Bears:
BEARS SIGN WASHINGTON DRAFT PICK HAAKON HÄNELT TO PTO
(Hershey, PA – March 28, 2024) – The Hershey Bears announced today that the club has signed forward Haakon Hänelt to a professional tryout agreement. The announcement was made by Hershey Bears vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer.
Hänelt, 20, played in his native Germany for the DEL’s Cologne Sharks this season, posting two points (1g, 1a) in 38 games in his rookie campaign. The 6′, 194-pound forward also skated in two games for Bad Nauheim EC in the DEL-2, scoring a goal.
The native of Berlin, Germany was selected by the Capitals in the fifth round, 151st overall, in the 2021 NHL Draft. He spent his previous two seasons playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Gatineau Olympiques, scoring 18 points (3g, 15a) in 34 games during the 2022-23 campaign.
Hänelt will wear #36 for Hershey.
