The Hershey Bears have already added to their roster for next season. The club announced they signed defenseman Hudson Thornton to an AHL contract for the 2024-25 campaign on Wednesday afternoon.
Thornton, an undrafted, left-shot defender, has spent the majority of the last four years in the WHL with the Prince George Cougars. The 20-year-old rearguard has served as the Cougars’ captain this season and has been teammates with Capitals prospect Zac Funk for the last two years.
We've signed defenseman Hudson Thornton to an AHL contract for the 2024-25 season. He is the captain of the @PGCougars and posted 74 points this season.
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 10, 2024
Thornton led all Cougars defensemen in scoring with 74 points (18g, 56a) in 68 games and finished fourth overall among all WHL defenders. He is also a finalist for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, awarded to the WHL’s defenseman of the year.
Prince George is still involved in the WHL playoffs after completing a four-game sweep of the Spokane Chiefs in the first round. Thornton was a point-per-game player in those four games, recording four points (1g, 3a).
The Cougars’ next playoff matchup comes against the Kelowna Rockets where both Thornton and Funk will take on Capitals 2023 second-round draft pick Andrew Cristall.
THE CAPTAIN! 🫡
We are proud to announce that captain Hudson Thornton has signed a one-year AHL contract with the @TheHersheyBears, the proud affiliate of the @Capitals!
Congratulations and well-earned, Huddy!
📝 https://t.co/iL1zVRFn9b pic.twitter.com/YJALWrirt8
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) April 10, 2024
Thornton will likely sign a tryout agreement with the Bears once his season in the WHL is over. Hershey has just five games remaining in their regular season before they turn their attention to repeating as Calder Cup champions.
Here’s Hershey’s press release on the signing:
BEARS SIGN DEFENSEMAN HUDSON THORNTON TO AHL DEAL FOR 2024-25 SEASON
(Hershey, PA – April 10, 2024) – The Hershey Bears announced today that the club has signed defenseman Hudson Thornton to an American Hockey League contract for the 2024-25 season. The announcement was made by Hershey vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer.
Thornton, 21, skated with the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars this season, striking for 74 points (18g, 56a) over 68 games while serving as the club’s captain. He led the club’s defenders in scoring, and finished fourth in the WHL among all blueliners in points. He was named the B.C. Division candidate for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy that is awarded to the WHL’s defenseman of the year.
The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba has tallied four points (1g, 3a) in four playoff games so far for Prince George, helping the Cougars advance to the second round of the postseason where they are currently battling Kelowna.
The 5’11”, 191-pound defender played in parts of four seasons with Prince George, compiling 196 points (56g, 140a) in 207 games in his major junior career. He was an alternate captain for two seasons with Prince George before being named the 29th captain in franchise history this past September. Prior to joining the WHL, Thornton also played for the British Columbia Hockey League’s Chilliwack Chiefs in 2019-10, and skated in 23 games for the United States Hockey League’s Fargo Force in 2020-21.
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.
