Bears Sign Jon McDonald to AHL Deal for 2023-24

October 5, 2023

The 2023 Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears announced today that the club has signed defenseman Jon McDonald to an American Hockey League contract for the 2023-24 season. 

McDonald, 25, initially signed a contract with Hershey's ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays, for the 2023-24 season, but after impressing at the Washington Capitals' Rookie and Training Camps, his contract has been upgraded to an AHL deal. 

The 6', 181-pound defender completed a five-year career at UMass-Lowell in 2022-23, captaining the River Hawks, leading the team in assists (17), and ranking second on the team in blocks (48) in 35 games. He was named to the Hockey East Third All-Star Team and was voted as UMass-Lowell's Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth straight season. 

In his NCAA career, McDonald skated in 145 games for the River Hawks, posting 62 points (10g, 52a). He joined the ECHL's Toledo Walleye at the conclusion of last season, registering three assists in 10 games.

The native of Livonia, Michigan previously won the Clark Cup with the United States Hockey League's Fargo Force in 2018.