HERSHEY, PA — While the Hershey Bears had much of the same veteran core as last season, the team was powered by different prospects and role players as they repeated as Calder Cup champions in 2024.
Russian forwards Ivan Miroshnichenko and Bogdan Trineyev earned big responsibility from Bears head coach Todd Nelson as the season wore on, and their contributions during their rookie seasons were crucial in the Bears earning their thirteenth AHL championship.
Miroshnichenko, a 20-year-old, first-round pick from the 2022 NHL Draft, played on Hershey’s explosive third line with Garrett Roe and Mike Vecchione. The three players combined for 15 goals in 20 Bears playoff games.
“It was an honor playing with the kid,” Vecchione said. “He’s asking me questions, he’s trying to learn, and I know he’s a pure goal scorer so I just did my best to feed him as best as I could and when I did he buried it.”
Individually, Miroshnichenko scored seven goals during the postseason — tied for second-most on the Bears (Hendrix Lapierre and Pierrick Dubé) — and scored five goals during an especially hot three-game stretch. The Ussuriysk, Russia native led all AHL rookies in shots with 45. A regular on the Bears’ second power-play unit, Miroshnichenko set up shop in the left circle for one-timers.
Trineyev, a 22-year-old, fourth-round pick out of the 2020 NHL Draft, helped force the turnover that led to Matt Strome’s Calder Cup-winning goal in overtime of Game 6.
“He’s big, he can skate. He’s heavier than you think,” Roe said. “He’s a power forward, so he’s not going to have the same effects as Miro. But that’s fine. Teams need different effects and different roles and blend them all together. Then he’s a great teammate, great guy, he’s funny as hell. We like having him around.”
The six-foot-two winger out of Dynamo Moscow was used in a heavy forechecking role on the fourth line and was the first player to jump off the bench for the PK, which killed off 16 of 17 Coachella Valley Firebirds’ power plays in the championship series.
Minutes after winning the Calder Cup, Miroshnichenko and Trineyev spoke briefly about how they felt after concluding their first full season in America with a championship. Bears defenseman Dmitry Ospiov, who was partly brought in to help mentor the two, encouraged them to speak despite being nervous. Miroshnichenko held his first all-English press conference earlier in the playoffs while these may be Trineyev’s first words in English on video.
Q. How do you guys feel winning?
Miroshnichenko: [Points at Osipov] I don’t speak English.
Osipov: I’ll try to be short without swear words but it’s unbelievable to see this whole crowd and everything. Especially, those two. [Points at Miro and Trineyev.] They gotta say something.
Miroshnichenko: [Screaming] It’s unreal, it’s unreal. We win Cup, oh, my god, it’s unreal.
Osipov: Long story short, we got it. Cheers.
Trineyev: Hey, great, great feel. Great season.
Miroshnichenko: Let’s go Bogey!
[Dance and bear roar]
Miroshnichenko and Trineyev formed a special bond during the season as they went through similar learning curves acclimating to life in the United States. They both have big personalities and use humor to connect with others.
“Funny every day,” Miroshnichenko said of Trineyev to RMNB earlier in the playoffs. “Every practice, every game.”
“They didn’t know each other before the season,” Osipov added. “It was more like a player relationship. They would see each other in the game. They’re like, ‘Hey, hey, how you doing?’ That kind of stuff. And then this season kind of kickstarted the whole friendship stuff.”
Miroshnichenko and Trineyev’s close relationship was on full display during Hershey’s on-ice celebration as they danced to Kool & the Gang’s mega-hit “Celebration” as it blared over the Giant Center loudspeakers. Miro finished the routine with a big chest bump.
After Dylan McIlrath accepted the trophy at center ice, both players waited with eager anticipation for when it was their turn to lift the Calder Cup and take a lap around the Giant Center ice.
About a dozen players in, Miroshnichenko received the championship trophy from Pierrick Dubé.
After taking his joyous lap, Miro handed it to Bogey, who let out a loud Woooooo! that fans could likely hear in the upper deck.
After everyone had a chance to take a lap including the coaching and support staff, Miroshnichenko and Trineyev chatted with family and friends until they had an opportunity to take personal photos. Miroshnichenko’s wife Karisha, who is an ice skating coach, was in attendance and shared the special moment with him.
“The emotions cannot be described in words! Your passion for this sport, your work and perseverance were not in vain, and you were able to prove to everyone what you are capable of!” she wrote in Russian on her Instagram as translated by Google Translate. “I am proud of you and glad that you manage to reach such heights! May this victory be only a small part of your success, and may there be many more new achievements ahead! You are the best and I love you immensely! Happy holiday! LET’S GO BEARS🏆🐻”
Miroshnichenko called family as the ceremony winded down per FOX43’s Ed Albert, who posted video of the exchange.
Trineyev had his own fun dancing along the boards and tapping the glass acknowledging fans.
Miroshnichenko found a tiny Bears supporter near the Firebirds’ tunnel and gave away his stick.
The Bears eventually took the celebration to the locker room where more dancing was had.
As the night ended, Miroshnichenko and Trineyev took one final photo at their locker room stall.
“We win Cup!” Miroshnichenko said.
