CAPITALS SIGN CASEY WELLMAN TO TWO-YEAR EXTENSION

March 28, 2013

HERSHEY, Pa. – The HERSHEY BEARS announced today that the organization has signed forward Casey Wellman to a two-year contract extension.  The announcement was made by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst.

In 22 games since coming to HERSHEY from the San Antonio Rampage (Florida Panthers) on January 31, Wellman has produced 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) to climb into second place on the squad in scoring.  Prior to joining HERSHEY, Wellman tallied 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 37 games with San Antonio.

From February 16 to March 1, Wellman ran up the BEARS’ second-longest individual point streak of 2012-13, tallying three goals and six assists in the six-game stretch.  He became the third BEARS player this season to record four points in a game with his two-goal and two-assist effort on February 24 against Albany.

The 6-0, 186-pound native of Brentwood, CA has played in a total of 158 AHL games with Houston, Connecticut, San Antonio and HERSHEY, totaling 51 goals and 75 assists for 126 points.

Following a two-year stint with the UMass-Amherst Minutemen (HE), where Wellman had been named to the Hockey East All-Rookie and All-Academic Teams in his freshman year and UMass-Amherst’s Rookie of the Year of 2008-09, he signed with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild.  Wellman recorded an assist in his NHL debut on March 19, 2010, and went on to record 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 41 career NHL games, all with Minnesota.  Wellman earned a recall to the Washington Capitals on February 26 but did not appear in a game.

Wellman was acquired by the Capitals on January 31 in exchange for center Zach Hamill.

Following a Friday, March 29 visit to face the Albany Devils at 7:00 PM, the HERSHEY BEARS will return home on Saturday, March 30 for a 7:00 PM matchup against the Providence Bruins.  All fans in attendance will receive a ticket to Pocono International Raceway for the June 8th NASCAR Event Weekend, and all fans will also have the opportunity to come down onto the ice post-game for the Dietz and Watson Ham Shoot and a chance to win Easter food items.

Tickets for the three remaining BEARS home games may be purchased at the GIANT Center box office, by calling (717) 508-BEAR or online at TicketMaster.com.