Bears Sign D.J. King to AHL Deal, Loan Him to Stingrays

February 9, 2026

The Hershey Bears have announced the signing of defenseman DJ King to an American Hockey League contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season and have loaned him to Hershey's ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays. The transaction was announced by Hershey vice president of hockey operations, Bryan Helmer.

King, 25, has appeared in eight AHL games this season while skating under professional tryout agreements with Hershey and the Iowa Wild. In his lone prior game with the Bears on Nov. 16 vs. Lehigh Valley, the blueliner recorded the primary assist on Hershey's game-tying goal in an eventual 2-1 overtime win.

The 6'3", 216-pound defenseman has also produced two points (1g, 1a) in 27 ECHL games with South Carolina this season.

King has recorded two assists in 16 career AHL games with Hershey, Iowa, and Rockford. He is the son of Bears head coach Derek King and previously attended the club's 2025 Training Camp.

He has also generated 27 points (8g, 19a) in 191 ECHL games with Fort Wayne, Norfolk, Indy, and South Carolina.

The Bears continue the 2025-26 season, presented by Penn State Health, when they visit the Laval Rocket on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at Place Bell. Hershey returns home to host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for PA Lottery Night on Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at GIANT Center. The first 6,000 fans 18-and-over in attendance will receive a coupon offer, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery. Fans 21-and-over can also take advantage of $5, 16 oz. Happy Hour select beer special on from doors until puck drop. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for this game.