Goaltending news in Hershey

Multiple happenings on the goaltending front within the organization yesterday. 

First, former goaltending coach Dave Prior is returning to that position with he organization.  The way I understand it, he will mainly be responsible for the goalies in Washington.

Second, the Caps hired former Caps goalie Olie Kolzig as associate goaltending coach.  This move is likely to impact Hershey directly as it is anticipated that Olie will work mainly with the goalies in Hershey and South Carolina. 

I believe this will be the first time that the Bears have an actual, designated goalie coach.  Prior spent some time with the kids in Hershey during his tenure, but most of his time was spent in Washington.  Last season Arturs Irbe served as goalie coach for the Caps and while he definitely worked with the "kids" in Hershey, his main focus was the guys in Washington.

This can only help the Bears, who may have a deep stable of goalies again in 2011-12....

And the final news of the day...the Bears/Caps have resigned goalie Dany Sabourin for the 2011-12 season. 

Last year Dany started out slow before really finding a groove and playing great before getting hurt in January and missing the rest of the season.  He says he is skating fully and will be ready to go when the season starts after rehabbing his knee injury.

Dany said that he wanted to return and his contract verifies that.  At the AHL level (which is where everyone expects him to be) he is making half of what he made last season, according to capgeek.com.  Obviously that doesn't mean everything but I think it speaks loudly about how much he wanted to return to the Washington/Hershey organization. 

Another thing to consider with this signing though...this could signal the end of Braden Holtby in Hershey.  There is speculation that Semyon Varlamov is heading to Russia for the upcoming season which would present an opening in Washington for a backup to Michal Neuvirth for Braden. 

Obviously there is still lots of time and roster moves to come before that happens but definitely something to keep an eye on. 

Either way...welcome back Dany Sabourin!!  It will be great to have you healthy for a full season in 2011-12.