2023 Calder Cup Champions

Behind the scenes of the Hershey Bears’ 2023 Calder Cup championship celebration at Giant Center

HERSHEY, PA — The Hershey Bears celebrated the franchise’s twelfth Calder Cup championship at Giant Center on Saturday afternoon. The event marked the first public event fans could attend since the Bears lifted the AHL’s championship trophy in Southern California early Thursday morning. Alternate captain and inventor of the ROAR, Mike Vecchione, scored on a rebound to in overtime of Game 7 to eliminate the first-year Coachella Valley Firebirds in thrilling fashion.

The championship ceremony began at 3 pm and was open to the public. There were so many Bears fans in attendance, many of the players, who had barely slept since winning the championship days before, stayed hours after they were scheduled to leave so no one left empty-handed.

Nothing about the celebration or the fan support felt minor league.

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By Ian Oland 5 months ago

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Logan Day still hasn’t taken his jersey off after winning the Calder Cup

Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson said during the Calder Cup Finals that defenseman Logan Day has “ice in his veins.” Little did we know that Day also has superior olfactory sensory neurons in his nose. By that, I mean he has an incredible internal tolerance for stankiness.

We know this because Day has not taken off his jersey since suiting up for the Hershey Bears in Game Seven Wednesday night. The Bears proceeded to win the franchise’s twelfth Calder Cup after Mike Vecchione scored in overtime of the longest Game Seven in AHL history.

It is now Friday — nearly two full days later — and Logan’s jersey full of sweat, alcohol, and perhaps other things I can’t imagine remains glued to his body, perhaps never to be taken off again.

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By Ian Oland 5 months ago

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Hershey Bears to celebrate Calder Cup championship with fans on Saturday

The Hershey Bears are back home in Central Pennsylvania and now a proper celebration is set.

The Bears will host a party at Giant Center on Saturday that is free to the public.

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By Ian Oland 5 months ago

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Where to buy Hershey Bears Calder Cup championship merch

The Hershey Bears became Calder Cup champions for the twelfth time in franchise history on Wednesday after defeating the Coachella Valley Firebirds 3-2 in overtime.

Not long after the goal light was lit by Mike Vecchione and captain Dylan McIlrath lifted the Calder Cup, Bears championship merch went on sale.

We’ve received several inquiries about where you can buy Bears merch so let’s go through the options and see what’s available.

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By Ian Oland 5 months ago

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Hunter Shepard named MVP of Calder Cup Playoffs, receives Jack A. Butterfield Trophy

The Hershey Bears won their first Calder Cup championship in 13 years and a big reason why was because of their man between the pipes. Goaltender Hunter Shepard stopped 45 of 47 shots in the nerve-wracking, Game Seven overtime victory.

During the postgame festivities, Shepard was awarded the AHL’s Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the Calder Cup Playoffs’ MVP. He racked up a 14-6 overall postseason record with a .914 save percentage, 2.27 goals-against average, and three shutouts.

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By Chris Cerullo 5 months ago

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Mike Vecchione scores overtime winner in Game 7 to deliver Calder Cup championship to Hershey Bears

Mike Vecchione invented the Hershey Bears’ signature ROAR celebration. In the postseason, the alternate captain delivered a championship to the team.

Vecchione scored the Calder Cup Finals series-winner in Hershey’s 3-2 overtime Game Seven victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Vecchione’s tally came with 3:41 remaining in the first overtime period.

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By Chris Cerullo 5 months ago

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The Hershey Bears are 2023 Calder Cup champions!

The Hershey Bears did it!!!

The Capitals’ AHL affiliate are Calder Cup champions for the first time in 13 years after defeating the Coachella Valley Firebirds 3-2 in overtime of Game Seven. Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre scored goals in regulation. Mike Vecchione scored the dramatic series-ender 16:19 into the first overtime. Hunter Shepard made 45 saves for his 14th and final victory of the postseason. Shepard was named postseason MVP and received the Jack Butterfield Trophy at the game’s conclusion.

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By Ian Oland 5 months ago

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