MICFLIKIER AND MACHESNEY SIGN FOR 2011-12

July 14, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2011CONTACT: John Walton-HERSHEY BEARS

CAPITALS SIGN LEFT WING JACOB MICFLIKIER, BEARS ADD GOALTENDER DAREN MACHESNEY

MICFLIKIER JOINS ORGANIZATION AFTER 29 GOALS LAST SEASON IN CHARLOTTE, FORMER BEAR BACKSTOP MACHESNEY ADDS TO GOALTENDING DEPTH

HERSHEY – The HERSHEY BEARS announced today in conjunction with the Washington Capitals that the club has signed left wing Jacob Micflikier to a contract for the 2011-12 season. Additionally, the BEARS announced today that the club has agreed to terms with goaltender Daren Machesney on an AHL contract. The announcement was made today by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst.

Micflikier, 27, comes to the Washington organization after the best season of his pro career in 2010-11. He scored 29 goals and assisted on 32 in 78 games for Charlotte (AHL), finishing third on the club in points with 61. He scored the first goal in Charlotte’s AHL history on October 9 at Hartford, and also recorded the first hat trick in team history on November 11 against Bridgeport. A native of Winnipeg, MB, Micflikier played four years at the University of New Hampshire before making his pro debut with Springfield (AHL) late in the 2006-07 season.

The signing of Micflikier combined with Wednesday’s signing of right wing Graham Mink adds two players in less than 24 hours to HERSHEY’S potential opening night roster that scored 53 goals in the AHL last season.

Machesney, 24, played for HERSHEY from 2006-09, and played most recently in the AHL with Worcester and Springfield in 2010-11. He won a career-high 22 games for HERSHEY in 2007-08.

The BEARS will open the 2011-12 regular season in early October, with season ticket plans available now by calling (717) 508-BEAR. The American Hockey League is expected to release the 2011-12 regular season schedule in early August.