The Hershey Bears continued to add to their depth for the 2024-25 season, signing forward Erik Middendorf to a one-year AHL contract on Friday.
We have signed forward Erik Middendorf to an AHL deal for the 2024-25 season. Welcome to the organization, Erik!
📰 https://t.co/31EQYRIdY5 pic.twitter.com/R6w4J0Oyvz
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) July 26, 2024
The 24-year-old Middendorf spent a majority of last season with the Adirondack Thunder — the New Jersey Devils’ ECHL affiliate — posting 32 points (18g, 14a) in 36 games. In the AHL with the Utica Comets, Middendorf had nine points (4g, 5a) in 24 games, including scoring his milestone first AHL goal on January 27 versus the Syracuse Crunch.
A native of Scottsdale, Arizona, Middendorf played collegiently at both Michigan State and Colorado College after a notable career in the junior ranks with the UHL’s Chicago Steel. Middendorf, while serving as the captain, posted 68 points (32g, 36a) in 53 games as the Steel captured the 2021 Clark Cup title.
Middendorf first got his start with the U-18 and U-17 US National Development Teams, suiting up for the teams from 2016 through 2018.
Here’s the full press release from the Hershey Bears:
BEARS INK FORWARD ERIK MIDDENDORF TO AHL CONTRACT
Winger skated in 24 games with the Utica Comets last season
(Hershey, PA – July 26, 2024) – The 2024 Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears announced today that the club has signed forward Erik Middendorf to an AHL contract for the 2024-25 season. The announcement was made by Hershey vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer.
Middendorf, 24, split time last season with the Utica Comets and the ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder. While in the AHL with the Comets, Middendorf posted nine points (4g, 5a) over 24 games. He scored his first AHL goal on Jan. 27 versus Syracuse.
In the ECHL ranks, the 6’1″, 194-pound forward compiled 32 points (18g, 14a) in 36 games for Adirondack, while also adding six points (2g, 4a) over 12 playoff games. He joined the Thunder late in the 2022-23 season after finishing up his collegiate career at Michigan State University, and in his first pro action, he tallied three points (1g, 2a) in 11 contests.
The Scottsdale, Arizona native had 49 points (26g, 23a) in 120 career NCAA games between Michigan State and Colorado College. In the junior ranks, he served as captain for the United Hockey League’s Chicago Steel in 2020-21, scoring 68 points (32g, 36a) in 53 games and leading the team to the Clark Cup title.
The Hershey Bears are back-to-back Calder Cup Champions! The club will start its title defense as they open the 2024-25 season, presented by Penn State Health, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 12 versus the Cleveland Monsters at GIANT Center. Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are on sale now and more information is available at HersheyBears.com.
