November 15, 2011
HERSHEY, Pa. – The HERSHEY BEARS announced today that forward Matt Pope has been signed to a professional tryout agreement. The announcement was made by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst.
Pope, 27, has recorded six goals and 11 assists in 13 games to lead the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL). He currently ranks tied for third in overall ECHL scoring, and his 11 helpers are tied for second overall.
The 6-1, 185-lb. native of Langley, BC spent the entire 2010-11 season in the AHL with the San Antonio Rampage, recording four goals, seven assists and 35 penalty minutes in 55 games. He also saw AHL time with the Binghamton Senators and Manitoba Moose from 2008-2010, posting 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 52 total games.
Pope broke into the professional ranks in 2008-09 and had a successful season with the ECHL’s Bakersfield Condors, earning All-Rookie Team honors and a starting spot in the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game after piling up 63 points (30 goals, 33 assists) in 54 games. Prior to turning pro, Pope completed four years at Bemidji State University (WCHA), where he totaled 71 points (33 goals, 38 assists) in 143 career games.
The BEARS will visit the Syracuse Crunch for their next game on Friday, November 18 at 7:30 PM. The team returns to
Giant Center to host the Albany Devils on Saturday, November 19 at 7:00 PM. Individual tickets for this and all regular-season home games are on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR, or by visiting ticketmaster.com.
HERSHEY BEARS season ticket plans are also on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR, with many different flexible plans still available. Season ticket plans start as low as $160.
###
vs
