BEARS LAND PLAYMAKING CENTER KEITH AUCOIN

July 3, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2008 CONTACT: John Walton â�" HERSHEY BEARS â�" (717) 682-6470 HERSHEY AND WASHINGTON SIGN UP VETERAN CENTER KEITH AUCOIN PLAYMAKING CENTER PLAYED 38 GAMES LAST SEASON FOR CAROLINA HURRICANES, FORMER ALBANY CAPTAIN IN THE SYSTEM FOR 2008-09 HERSHEY â�" The HERSHEY BEARS announced today in conjunction with the Washington Capitals that center Keith Aucoin has been signed to a contract for the 2008-09 season. The announcement was made today by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst and Washington Capitals VP/General Manager George McPhee. Aucoin, 29, comes to the Washington organization after splitting time in 2007-08 between Carolina (NHL) and Albany (AHL). He scored five goals and assisted on eight others for the Hurricanes during his stint in Raleigh, and picked up 45 points in just 38 games for the River Rats. Aucoin brings a total of 53 games of NHL experience to the organization, and has also played previously in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Lowell Lock Monsters. On four different occasions, Aucoin has notched 20 or more goals in a single AHL season (25 with Providence in 2002-03, 21 for the P-Bruins in 2004-05, 29 with Lowell in 2005-06 and 26 with Albany in 2006-07). One of the leagueâ�™s premier playmakers, Aucoin also has recorded 299 assists in 435 AHL games. â��Keith Aucoin is one of the premier centers in the American Hockey Leagueâ�� said BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst. â��We are thrilled to have his playmaking ability and his leadership for the upcoming season.â�� The signing marks the second offensive forward the BEARS have landed in as many days. The club announced Tuesday the signing of right wing and 2006 Calder Cup Playoff hero Graham Mink. Mink and Aucoin join Alexandre Giroux, who is already under contract for next season. Giroux, who scored 42 goals for the BEARS in 2006-07, is HERSHEYâ�™S only 40-goal scorer since 2000. Season ticket plans for the upcoming 2008-09 season are on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR, with plans starting at just $145. The American Hockey League is expected to release the 2008-09 schedule of games later this summer, with HERSHEY slated to play 20 different opponents.