Shepard Recalled, Goaltender Mitch Gibson Re-assigned to Hershey

March 7, 2024

The Washington Capitals, the National Hockey League affiliate of the Hershey Bears, announced today that goaltender Hunter Shepard has been recalled from Hershey. Additionally, goaltender Mitch Gibson has been re-assigned to Hershey from the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays. 

Shepard, 28, has posted a record of 21-3-2 with Hershey this season, owning a 2.00 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and two shutouts. Shepard ranks second in the AHL in goals-against average, tied for third in wins, and tied for sixth in save percentage.

With the Capitals this season, Shepard has a record of 2-1-1 with a 3.19 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage in four games. He made his NHL debut and earned his first career win on Oct. 25 at New Jersey. On Nov. 11 against the New York Islanders, Shepard stopped 36 of 37 shots and was named the game's First Star in a 4-1 Washington win.

Gibson, 24, has gone 2-0-0 with Hershey this season with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. He stopped 21 shots to earn a win in his AHL debut on Oct. 22 at Bridgeport, and finished with 22 saves in Hershey's win over Lehigh Valley in his most recent appearance on Jan. 7. 

With the Stingrays, the netminder is 18-11-2 in 32 games with a .907 save percentage. His 2.35 goals-against average is fourth in the ECHL, and he's tied for the league lead in shutouts with three. 

The Bears continue the 2023-24 season, presented by Penn State Health, when they visit the Charlotte Checkers on Friday, March 8 at Bojangles' Coliseum at 7 p.m. Hershey returns home to host the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday, March 16 at 7 p.m. at GIANT Center for GIANT Pennant Night. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a Bears pennant, courtesy of GIANT. Purchase tickets for the game by CLICKING HERE.