AUCOIN SIGNS NEW TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

March 8, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2010 CONTACT: John Walton-HERSHEY BEARS BEARS SIGN CENTER KEITH AUCOIN TO NEW TWO-YEAR CONTRACT AHLâ�™S LEADING SCORER TO STAY IN THE CHOCOLATE AND WHITE FOR TWO MORE SEASONS THROUGH 2011-12 HERSHEY â�" The 2009 Calder Cup Champion HERSHEY BEARS announced today in conjunction with the Washington Capitals that the team has come to terms with center Keith Aucoin on a new two-year, two-way NHL contract. The agreement will keep Aucoin in the HERSHEY/Washington organization through the 2011-12 season. The announcement was made today by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst. Aucoin, 31, currently leads the American Hockey League in scoring with 84 points, and won his first Calder Cup last season for HERSHEY. His 31 goals this season are a new career-high, after finishing second in the AHL scoring race to teammate Alexandre Giroux in 2008-09. Aucoin has also played in 21 games for the Washington Capitals over the last two seasons, scoring three goals and assisting on eight others. In all, Aucoin has 74 games of NHL experience between Washington and the Carolina Hurricanes. Originally signing with Washington/HERSHEY during the summer of 2008, Aucoin accumulated a career-best 99 points with the Albany River Rats in 2006-07 season, finishing second in the league in scoring that year. He is currently 39th all-time in American Hockey League history in points (613), and 22nd all-time in assists (423). He is tops among all active AHL players in both categories. â��Keith is a dynamic offensive player that makes talented players around him even betterâ�� said BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst. â��We are thrilled that he will wear a HERSHEY uniform for the next two seasons.â�� A native of Waltham, MA, Aucoin looks to win his first-ever scoring title this season. The BEARS are 49-12-0-2, good for 100 points, and have won a professional hockey record 23 straight home games. HERSHEYâ�™S magic number to clinch a third East Division championship in four years stands at five. The BEARS will begin a four-game road trip Friday in Adirondack against the Phantoms at 7:30 p.m. HERSHEYâ�™S next home game is Friday, March 19 against the Albany River Rats at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Giant Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911.