The Hershey Bears announced that they signed Capitals prospects Cam Allen and Brett Hyland to amateur tryout agreements on Wednesday.
Allen, the Capitals’ fifth-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft, joins the Bears after wrapping up his season in the OHL with the Guelph Storm. The 19-year-old blueliner got a very late start to his year after having shoulder surgery in August.
Hyland, one of the Capitals’ seventh-round picks in the 2023 draft, finished out his junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL. The 21-year-old winger led Brandon in scoring with 59 points (32g, 27a) in 66 games.
We have signed @Capitals draft picks Cam Allen and Brett Hyland to amateur tryout agreements.
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 10, 2024
Due to the shoulder surgery, Allen was limited to just 25 games for the Storm. In those games, he recorded nine points (2g, 7a). Coming out of the draft combine, Allen was labeled as one of the best pure athletes in the entire 2023 class, finishing top 10 in 11 different events.
Allen has previously represented Canada at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and U-18 World Junior Championships, serving as captain of both teams. In those 12 combined tournament games, he came up with 11 points (1g, 10a). Capitals 2023 second-round pick, Andrew Cristall, was an alternate captain on the World Juniors squad.
Cam Allen sets up the Captain 🫡
The @Capitals prospect kicks off the second period, making an incredible pass to find Braeden Bowman for his 30th goal of the season 📽️#ALLCAPS | @Storm_City pic.twitter.com/SWtiNjR3Ag
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 3, 2024
Hyland was a double-overage pick by the Capitals in 2023 after being passed up in both of his previous draft-eligible years. The Edmonton native was a teammate of current Capitals defenseman and Calder Cup champion Vincent Iorio for three seasons with the Wheat Kings. Hyland was also a participant in the Los Angeles Kings’ 2021 Development Camp as a free-agent invitee.
Hyland served as the Wheat Kings’ captain this past season.
Oh captain, my captain!@Capitals prospect and @bdnwheatkings captain Brett Hyland lights the lamp in his final regular season game at home! pic.twitter.com/z4zaLlu8RC
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 22, 2024
Hershey has just five games remaining on their schedule before their excellent regular season ends. The 50-12-5 Bears have already earned a first-round playoff bye into the division semifinals.
Allen and Hyland will likely serve as playoff black aces as the Bears seek to repeat as Calder Cup champions.
Here’s the full press release from the Bears:
BEARS SIGN ALLEN AND HYLAND TO AMATEUR TRYOUT AGREEMENTS
The Hershey Bears announced today that the club has signed defenseman Cam Allen and forward Brett Hyland to amateur tryout agreements. The announcement was made by Hershey vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer.
Allen, 19, was selected in the fifth round, 136th overall, in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals. He played 25 games this season for the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm, scoring nine points (2g, 7a). He made his season debut on Jan. 26 after missing significant time due to injury. He also appeared in four playoff games for Guelph.
The native of Toronto, Ontario has played three seasons with the Storm with his best campaign coming in 2021-22. That year he tallied 37 points (13g, 24a) in 65 games, earning OHL First All-Rookie Team and OHL Rookie of the Year honors.
The 6′, 198-pound rearguard previously captained Canada at the U18 World Junior Championships and the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, when he claimed a gold medal and led the tournament in assists with six.
Hyland, 21, enjoyed a career-year with the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings, leading the team with 59 points, and pacing the club with 32 goals. The native of Edmonton, Alberta served as an alternate captain for Brandon and collected five points (1g, 4a) in four playoff games.
The 6′, 194-pound forward played parts of four seasons with Brandon, scoring 145 points (75g, 70a) in 195 WHL games. He was selected in the seventh round, 200th overall, in the 2023 draft by the Capitals.
The Bears continue the 2023-24 season, presented by Penn State Health, when they return home to GIANT Center against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. for Fairview Golf Course Logo Chip Night. The first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a 2023 Calder Cup Champions logo golf chip. The game will also feature a pre-game happy hour featuring a $5 16 oz. select beer, available from doors to puck drop.
