Todd Nelson

Todd Nelson calls Hershey’s Game One blowout loss a wake-up call: ‘We can’t cry over spilt milk’

HERSHEY, PA — Coming into Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Hershey Bears had won six of their seven games in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, defeating the Charlotte Checkers in four games and sweeping the Hartford Wolf Pack in three in the Atlantic Division Finals. The only game Hershey lost, Game Three of their opening round, was a 2-1 squeaker against the Checkers.

Tuesday, the Bears’ cakewalk to the Calder Cup Finals officially ended as they had the brakes beaten off of them in front of their home fans by the Rochester Americans, 5-1.

In their march to the ECF, the talented and fast Amerks scored the second-most goals (38) and posted the second-best goals differential (+12) in the Calder Cup playoffs after finishing the regular season with only the East’s eighth-best record. Their victory against Hershey was their seventh straight win overall in the playoffs.

Game One began ominously as Bears fans were still making their way to their seats. Amerks defenseman Joseph Cecconi joined the play and fired a shot through Gabriel Carlsson’s legs, beating Bears’ goaltender Hunter Shepard clean 14 seconds into the game.

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By Ian Oland 4 days ago

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The Hershey Bears’ playoff shirts, BOWBA BOW, and ABBA victory song: explained

HERSHEY, PA — After the Hershey Bears defeated the Hartford Wolf Pack 3-2 in overtime during Game One of the Atlantic Division Final, Connor McMichael — the author of that night’s game-tying goal and the team’s sometimes alternate captain — walked into the media room at Giant Center wearing a cocoa-colored shirt.

On the front, the Bears’ 2023 postseason shield adorned the pocket area of the chest along with the word “Choices” arced above it in yellow.

As a journalist with a lifelong passion for covering t-shirts and the more irreverent and personality-driven parts of hockey, I was curious what it meant to the players and how it first started.

Not only did I get answers on the shirt, but as I continued to probe, I stumbled upon more elements of what has made this year’s iteration of the Bears so extremely close-knit and fun — similar to the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship team.

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By Ian Oland 5 days ago

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Todd Nelson says Hershey’s performance in Game 3 was ‘pretty ugly,’ thinks ‘some guys might be pretty embarrassed’ when they watch back tape

HERSHEY, PA — The Hershey Bears won the first two games of their best-of-five, second-round playoff series against the Charlotte Checkers by a combined score of 10-3. Returning to Giant Center on Wednesday, the Bears looked to sweep their Atlantic Division rival in front of their home fans.

That did not happen.

Instead, the Bears sputtered early and watched as the Checkers fired 10 of the first 14 shots on goal in the first period. Hershey ultimately got on the board first in the second period, via a Sam Anas snipe on an odd-man break, but would go on to surrender two consecutive breakaway goals. They ultimately dropped Game Three, 2-1.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Todd Nelson hopes he gets consideration for Capitals’ open head coaching job: ‘It’s everybody’s dream to make the NHL’

HERSHEY, PA — The Washington Capitals are searching for a new coach after parting ways with Peter Laviolette on April 14. The Capitals opted not to retain the 58-year-old bench boss after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years and had its worst full season in 16 years.

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said during his end-of-season press conference that management would consider bringing in a coach that is younger or had no prior NHL experience.

“I think we’re more open,” MacLellan said. “Our group is changing. We’re trying to get younger. It’s going to be different in that you want a coach that can work with young guys and we’re going to have a veteran group at the top that kinda needs a veteran coach. It’s going to be challenging to find the right guy for that.”

There are several people who immediately come to mind as possible candidates. Former Hershey Bears head coach and current Maple Leafs’ assistant, Spencer Carbery, is seen as a rising star in the league and reportedly believed to be on the Capitals’ shortlist. Former Caps captain and Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach, Jeff Halpern, has won multiple Stanley Cups as a part of Jon Cooper’s staff. Capitals assistant coach Scott Allen spent time in Hershey as its head coach and helped improve the NHL team’s penalty kill.

Another person who appears likely to be in the conversation is current Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson.

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By Ian Oland 1 month ago

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The story behind the Hershey Bears’ epic ROAR celebration

HERSHEY, PA — The 2022-23 Hershey Bears found their inner grizzly this season and are fully embracing their nickname both on and off the ice. After goals, some courageous and bold Hershey players do their best standing bear pose, raising their arms (and one leg) while showing their teeth. Then they let out a big roar as they approach the bench for fist bumps.

But, why?

“I don’t know really the story behind it but it’s definitely contagious,” Bears forward Sam Anas, the AHL’s 2019-20 scoring leader, said laughing when I asked how it all began. “It fires the boys up on the bench. It’s just a fun thing.”

When I asked around, a majority of players and staff pointed me toward one guy: Mike Vecchione.

Vecchione is a first-line forward on the Bears, making up one of the most dangerous trios in the AHL along with Michael Sgarbossa and Ethen Frank. During the 2022-23 campaign, Vecchione finished second on the team in points. His 23 goals, 32 assists, and 55 points were all career highs. He also is a part of the team’s leadership group and an alternate captain.

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By Ian Oland 1 month ago

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Todd Nelson says Hershey Bears healthy-scratched Hendrix Lapierre twice because ‘his intensity has to rise up’

The Hershey Bears sat Washington Capitals 2020 first-round pick Hendrix Lapierre in both of their weekend games. The healthy scratches were Lapierre’s first of his professional career.

With the NHL trade deadline two weeks away, the move raised eyebrows, especially as the Capitals are scuffling and are becoming a long shot to make the playoffs for a ninth-straight season.

But the prospect was not healthy-scratched for trade reasons. It was for his recent play.

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By Ian Oland 3 months ago

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Newly appointed Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson wants his team to mirror Capitals as much as possible

In mid-August, the Hershey Bears announced that they had hired former Capitals defenseman, Todd Nelson, as their 28th coach in franchise history. Nelson replaced Scott Allen who was promoted to the Caps as an assistant coach in late July.

Capitals Rookie Camp, which wrapped up its on-ice work Monday, allowed Nelson to get a close look at some of the talent he may get to work with in the American Hockey League this season and start to think about how he wants to implement them best.

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By Chris Cerullo 8 months ago

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Hershey Bears name former Capital Todd Nelson new head coach

The Hershey Bears have their new coach and longtime Capitals fans may remember the name.

Former Capitals defenseman Todd Nelson will be the Hershey Bears’ 28th coach in franchise history.

Nelson replaces Scott Allen who was promoted to the Washington Capitals as an assistant coach in late July.

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By Ian Oland 10 months ago

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Report: Hershey Bears ‘closing in’ on hiring former Capitals defenseman Todd Nelson as new head coach

The Washington Capitals announced last Monday that they would be promoting Scott Allen from the AHL head coaching position in Hershey to Peter Laviolette’s NHL staff. That left the Bears without a bench boss.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports that the affiliate’s vacancy may be filled very soon and the main candidate, Todd Nelson, has prior ties to both the Caps and Bears.

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By Chris Cerullo 10 months ago

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