The Hershey Bears solved their logjam in net on Monday, sending Garin Bjorklund to the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays.
The move comes after Mitch Gibson, the Bears’ presumed number-one starter, returned from a lower-body injury on Sunday and stopped 24 of 25 shots in Hershey’s 6-1 victory over the Texas Stars. Veteran Cal Petersen, who Hershey signed to a one-year AHL contract after the Washington Capitals released him from his PTO, will serve as the team’s backup while Bjorklund shares time with Ben Kraws in South Carolina.
The move will give the 24-year-old Bjorklund a chance to play as the Bears have just three games over the next 16 days, completing an eight-game homestand to start the season.
Bjorklund, a sixth-round pick from the 2020 NHL Draft, signed a one-year deal with Hershey in July after struggling at the AHL level last season, posting a 5-9-3 record, a 3.72 goals-against average, and an .876 save percentage in 17 appearances. The native of Grand Prairie, Alberta was sharp in his first AHL start of the 2026-27 season, making 27 saves in a 3-2 win over the Charlotte Checkers on October 4.
The Bears are without Clay Stevenson, who was claimed off waivers by the Winnipeg Jets on September 28. Serving as a backup to Stuart Skinner, Stevenson is 1-1-0 with a 3.10 goals-against average and an .872 save percentage in his first two starts with the Western Conference team.
Here’s the full press release from the Hershey Bears:
BEARS LOAN GARIN BJORKLUND TO SOUTH CAROLINA
Goaltender won his lone start of the season for Hershey on Oct. 4
(Hershey, PA – Oct. 12, 2026) – The Hershey Bears have loaned goaltender Garin Bjorklund to the club’s ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays.
Bjorklund, 24, won his lone appearance of the season for Hershey, stopping 27 shots in a 3-2 win over Charlotte on Oct. 4, earning third star honors.
The Grande Prairie, Alberta native went 5-9-3 in 17 appearances for the Bears in 2025-26, posting a 3.72 goals-against average, an .876 save percentage, and one shutout. Bjorklund also appeared in eight contests with the Stingrays, going 5-2-0 with a 2.05 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage, and one shutout. He also played in nine games for South Carolina in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Bjorklund has suited up in 65 career ECHL games with South Carolina, recording a 41-17-4 record with a 2.59 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage, and three shutouts.
He was a sixth-round selection (179th overall) of the Washington Capitals in the 2020 NHL Draft.
