A free agent update

The Hershey Bears and Washington Capitals have added some players to the organization that are going to have an important impact on Hershey's 08-09 season.

Four signings in particular could have a serious impact in Hershey:

1. Keith Aucoin signed a 2 year contract with Wash/Hershey. Aucoin is an AHL veteran and comes to the organization from Carolina/Albany. In 07-08 he played in 38 AHL and 38 NHL games. In 38 AHL games he totaled 45 points and added 13 points in his 38 NHL games this past season. In 06-07 he had 27 goals and 72 assists in 65 games for Albany.
2. Graham Mink returns to Hershey after spending the past 2 years with the Worcester Sharks. Minker had 24 goals and 34 assists last season in 71 games for the Sharks. He was in Hershey for the Calder Cup title in 05-06. During the 06 playoffs he had 21 points in 21 games.
3. Grant McNeill played in 12 games for the Bears last season, totaling 1 goal and 65 penalty minutes. In 57 games with South Carolina he totaled 11 points and 213 penalty minutes last season.
4. Maxime Lacroix joined the Bears in the playoffs last season after his Junior's season ended. He played in 2 playoff games and scored 1 goal. In 67 games in the QMJHL he scored 30 goals and added 32 assists.

Aucoin and Minker are going to add much needed veteran leadership and either could wear the C or an A this season. Both players are solid offensively and defensively although their best years could be behind them. Hopefully Aucoin can rediscover his scoring touch but even if he doesn't he still can provide plenty of assists to the young players Hershey has.

McNeill is an important player with a mean streak. He plays on defense and has no problem getting in anyones face. He stood up for goalie Daren Machesney last season in the game against Philly at the end of the year. All championship teams need players like Grant.

Maxime is a rookie this season and should provide some scoring and play making. At 6'0" and 191lbs he is big enough to play at this level.


All of these moves show that the Bears/Capitals are serious about winning this season. Aucoin could end up in the NHL depending on what happens to some of the restricted free agents that haven't been signed yet.

Coming soon I will look at what the Bears roster could look like after these recent signings.