CAPITALS, BEARS ADD THREE FOR 2013-14

July 8, 2013

HERSHEY, Pa. – The Hershey Bears announced today that the organization has signed goaltender David Leggio, defenseman Tyson Strachan and forward Matt Watkins to one-year contracts for the 2013-14 season.  The announcement was made by Bears President/GM Doug Yingst.
 
The 28-year-old Leggio played the last two seasons with the AHL’s Rochester Americans.  He posted career numbers last year, leading all American Hockey League goaltenders in games played (64), wins (38), minutes (3799:30), saves (1957) and shootout wins (nine). 
 
Leggio was one of just two goaltenders to post a 30-win season in 2012-13.  Nine of his 38 wins and two of his four shutouts came during the month of March, helping him lay claim to CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month honors. 
 
The 6-0, 180-pound native of Williamsville, New York has appeared in a total of 156 AHL games with Binghamton, Albany, Portland and Rochester.  Leggio also spent the 2009-10 season with Finland’s TPS Turku and helped his squad capture the SM-Liiga championship.
 
Prior to turning pro, Leggio was a standout at Clarkson University (ECAC).  He was named to the ECAC Second All-Star Team in his senior season of 2007-08 but had his most successful campaign in his junior year, leading the Golden Knights to the ECAC tournament championship while capturing the team’s MVP honor, Ken Dryden Goaltender of the Year Award and First-Team All-Star.
 
Strachan, 28, played in 38 games with the NHL’s Florida Panthers last season.  He ranked third on the Panthers in penalty minutes (40) while adding four assists, and also recorded nine points (one goal, eight assists) and 22 penalty minutes in 24 games with the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage.
 
The 6-3, 225-pound native of Melfort, Saskatchewan has recorded 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) and 127 penalty minutes in 120 career NHL games with Florida and St. Louis.  In his AHL career, Strachan has a total of 68 points (12 goals, 56 assists) and 270 penalty minutes in 216 games with Albany, Peoria and San Antonio.
 
Prior to turning pro, Strachan spent four seasons at Ohio State University (CCHA), registering 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 119 career games.  He was originally selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fifth round (137^th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
  
Watkins, 26, comes to the organization after serving as captain of the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers last season.  Watkins posted 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 68 games to finish sixth on the team in scoring.
 
The 5-10, 190-pound native of Regina, Saskatchewan is entering his fifth professional season in 2013-14.  In 253 career American Hockey League games with San Antonio, Portland and Bridgeport, Watkins has posted 123 points (49 goals, 74 assists).  He also appeared in one National Hockey League contest with the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2011-12 season.
 
Prior to turning pro, Watkins played four years at the University of North Dakota (WCHA), recording 58 points (26 goals, 32 assists) in 168 career games with the Fighting Sioux.  He was originally selected by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round (160^th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
 
Season tickets for the 2013-14 Hershey Bears regular season are on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR.  Many different flexible plans are available and start as low as $165.

(L to R photo courtesy: Rochester Americans / NHL / Bill Tenca & Bridgeport Sound Tigers)