The Washington Capitals celebrated the Hershey Bears’ 2024 Calder Cup championship team on Wednesday ahead of their game against the Nashville Predators.
After a video feature on the jumbotron, the Bears’ vice president of hockey operations, Bryan Helmer, walked out the Calder Cup and was joined on the ice by assistant coaches Nick Bootland and Patrick Wellar, who are currently leading the Bears with head coach Todd Nelson on leave.
The three Bears’ reps participated in the ceremonial faceoff, dropping the puck between Capitals’ captain Alex Ovechkin and Predators’ captain Roman Josi. No Bears’ championship players were a part of the ceremony.
Before the game, the Hershey Bears also presented championship rings to Hendrix Lapierre and Dylan McIlrath, key members of the club who graduated to the Capitals, after the players were unable to attend the AHL team’s ring ceremony before the season. Lapierre was the playoff MVP, while McIlrath was the Bears’ captain.
The Bears also presented rings to Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and members of the front office, including Brian MacLellan, Chris Patrick, and Don Fishman.
It was an honor to present @TedLeonsis and @Capitals management their Calder Cup rings. We are so thankful for the continued support and partnership! pic.twitter.com/cKTWAN5mlM
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) November 7, 2024
