DOUG YINGST  [PRESIDENT / GENERAL MANAGER]

Hershey Bears President/GM Doug Yingst enters his 26th season with the organization in 2007-08 on the heels of a second consecutive Eastern Conference Championship. After forging a new NHL partnership with the Washington Capitals prior to 2005-06, the BEARS went out and won the club’s ninth Calder Cup championship that same year. As an encore under Yingst’s guidance last season, Hershey claimed the American Hockey League’s best overall point total in 2006-07, the most wins (51) in franchise history, and a second straight appearance in the Calder Cup Finals. Yingst won the 2005-06 James H. Hendy Award, presented to the most outstanding executive in the American Hockey League. He became only the fourth man in league history to win the award twice, having also claimed the honor back in 1999-2000.

Yingst has been Hershey's President/GM since the 1998-99 season, and represents the club on the AHL’s Board of Governors. He serves the league on its Executive Committee as well as serving as Chairman of the AHL’s Competition and Marketing Committees. Yingst was first named Hershey's General Manager in 1996-97, winning the Calder Cup in his first season with his new responsibilities. From 1991-96, he was the Assistant GM/Director of Hockey Operations for the team and from 1988-91 served as Assistant General Manager under the legendary Frank S. Mathers. Yingst began his long run in the Hershey organization as the sales and promotions director in 1982, and also won the AHL’s Ken McKenzie award in 1988, given annually by the AHL to the person judged to have don the most to promote his team.

One of Yingst’s greatest accomplishments in hockey came in February of 2000, when his Hershey Jr. Bears hockey team won the 2000 Quebec Cup in Quebec City. Often compared to the Little League World Series in the United States, the Quebec Pee-Wee International Cup tournament brings more than 100 youth hockey teams to Quebec City every February. Yingst’s Jr. Bears defeated the Florida Jr. Panthers 2-1 in overtime to win the 2000 Cup in front of better than 12,000 fans at Le Colisee in Quebec.

Yingst has been called into service from time to time as the Bears assistant coach, most recently in 2003 during the Western Conference Quarterfinals. With head coach Mike Foligno hospitalized, Yingst teamed with interim head coach Paul Fixter to win Game 3 of the series 3-1 over the Chicago Wolves. It was also the first playoff victory for the Bears in Giant Center history.

A terrific all-around athlete, Yingst is a charter member of the Palmyra High School Sports Hall-of-Fame. He was inducted into the Central Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in November of 2000 for his outstanding athletic career both on and off the field. Yingst starred for Palmyra High in football, basketball and baseball, captaining all three sports and was a Big 33 nominee. He was named all-Lebanon County in each sport and played hockey at the same time. Yingst also played college football and continued playing hockey with the Jets in Johnstown. Yingst is an alumnus of Lebanon Valley College and is also an active member of USA Hockey, serving as a USA Hockey coaching director.

Yingst resides in Derry Township with his wife Sharon. They have four sons.

MARK FRENCH  [Head Coach]

Prior to his assistant coaching duties with Hershey, he was the head coach and director of hockey operations for the Wichita Thunder (CHL) from 2005-07.  French also coached in the ECHL with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies during the 2004-05 season, walking the bench as assistant coach as the Bullies posted a 42-21-9 record. Along with extensive professional coaching experience, he also brings considerable collegiate experience, having been the head coach at Wilfrid Laurier University from 2002-04. A native of Milton, Ontario, French played college hockey at Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario, serving as captain for three years there and received the prestigious “212 Degrees” annual award all four seasons, presented to the athlete who demonstrates leadership, commitment and excellence on the ice.
 
French, 38, becomes the 23rd head coach in Hershey Bears history, succeeding Bob Woods who was promoted to the Washington Capitals last month. He lives in Hershey with his wife Kimberly. They have two children, Ellie (2) and William, who was born during this past Calder Cup winning season.

TROY MANN [Assistant Coach]

Troy Mann comes to Hershey after serving as associate head coach of the Charlotte Checkers (ECHL) in 2008-09.  Prior to his stint with the Checkers, Mann was the head coach of the Columbia Inferno (ECHL) for two seasons from 2006-08. During this time he led the team to the South Division final in 2007-08.
 
As a player, Mann won the ECHL’s Kelly Cup while playing for the Mississippi Sea Wolves in 1998-99. From 1989-1993 he also a member of the Varsity Blues hockey program. Mann was a teammate of current Washington Capitals assistant coach Bob Woods that season, and the pair both played for current Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau during that championship run. He scored a career-high 33 goals for Mississippi during the 1996-97 campaign.

Mann is a 1993 graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree. Troy and his wife Lori are the proud parents of two year old daughter Larissa.