The Hershey Bears announced they signed Capitals prospects Ryan Chesley and David Gucciardi to amateur tryout agreements on Wednesday morning.
The two 2022 draft picks are expected to spend the rest of this season with the Bears. Hershey has eight games remaining in April before beginning their chase of a three-peat.
The Capitals announced their plans for Chesley on Monday, revealing he was set to sign a tryout agreement with the Bears before inking an NHL entry-level contract with the Caps “at a later date.” Chesley’s ATO status in Hershey will prevent the Capitals from burning a year on his eventual entry-level deal.
Chesley just completed his junior season with the University of Minnesota after being eliminated by UMass in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The 21-year-old defender recorded 20 points (8g, 12a) in 40 games this year.
Gucciardi signed his two-year, entry-level contract with the Capitals on Monday, which will not kick in until next year. The 22-year-old defenseman has played the past four years in the NCAA with Michigan State, recording 16 points (6g, 10a) in 37 games during his senior season.
The news for both rearguards come after Bears head coach Todd Nelson said this past weekend that he expected “reinforcements” from Washington, per Bears Hockey Nation. The Bears have struggled with their defensive depth this year, as they’ve seen Hardy Häman Aktell, Logan Day, and Dmitry Osipov all depart the organization and are currently without Aaron Ness and Jake Massie due to injuries.
Hershey is off until Friday, when they’ll visit the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. They’ll then return home for two weekend games against the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Here’s the full press release from the Bears:
BEARS SIGN DEFENDERS RYAN CHESLEY AND DAVID GUCCIARDI TO TRYOUT AGREEMENTS
Pair of Washington draft picks join Hershey’s roster on ATO’s
(Hershey, PA–April 2, 2025) – The Hershey Bears, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Washington Capitals, announced today that the club has signed defenders Ryan Chesley and David Gucciardi to amateur tryout agreements for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Chesley, 21, turns pro after skating at the University of Minnesota (NCAA) for three seasons. He served as one of the captains of the Golden Gophers this past year, scoring a career-best 20 points (8g, 12a) in 40 games, ranking third on the club in scoring among defenders. He blocked 73 shots, was a personal-best +17, was named to the All-Big Ten Honorable Mention Team, and helped Minnesota to a bid in the NCAA Tournament.
The 6’1″, 205-pound blueliner earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors in 2023-24, scoring eight points (2g, 6a) in 39 games. In his freshman season in 2022-23, he helped the Gophers to a Big Ten Conference regular season title and a runner-up finish at the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four.
In his NCAA career, Chesley scored 38 points (12g, 26a) and was a +34 in 115 games, helping the Gophers to two Big Ten regular-season titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances. He blocked 202 shots over his three years at Minnesota.
Chesley represented the USA twice at the IIHF World Junior Championships, winning bronze in 2023 and gold in 2024. He served as an alternate captain in the 2024 tournament, scoring four points (1g, 3a).
Chesley was selected by the Capitals in the second round, 37th overall, in the 2022 NHL Draft. He will wear number 13 for Hershey.
Gucciardi, 22, signed a two-year, entry-level contract earlier this week with the Capitals that starts in the 2025-26 season. He was Washington’s seventh round selection, 213th overall, in the 2022 NHL Draft.
The 6’1″, 200-pound defender recorded career highs in goals (6), assists (10), points (16), plus-minus (+21) and shots (88) in 37 games with Michigan State (NCAA) this season. The fourth-year senior ranked second on the Spartans in plus-minus, third in blocked shots (39), and tied for first among the team’s defensemen in goals.
The Toronto, Ontario native recorded eight points (2g, 6a) in 30 games during his junior season in 2023-24, leading Michigan State in penalty minutes (47), and ranking second on the team in blocked shots (46).
In 139 career games at Michigan State, Gucciardi recorded 45 points (17g, 28a), 154 penalty minutes and a +14 rating. He will wear number 48 for Hershey
