Saturday night during Hershey Bears opening night, Bears President and General Manager Doug Yingst announced his retirement from the team at the end of the season. There was an audible gasp from the crowd in attendance at Giant Center, and lots of reaction online and offline from those who know Doug.
HERSHEY, PA – NHL play-by-play man Mike “Doc” Emrick waves to the crowd at Giant Center before the Hershey Bears Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, December 20th. (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
Saturday night the voice of the NHL Mike “Doc” Emrick came to Hershey to induct five members of the Hershey Bears hall of fame. For the third season in a row Emrick was the MC for Bears hall of fame ceremony and talked about how this year’s class was a special one.
HERSHEY, PA – Former Bears play-by-play announcer J.D. Mathers looks down at the ice while doing color commentary during Sunday night’s game. (Kyle Mace – Chocolate Hockey)
Hockey Hall of Famer Frank Mathers name is legendary with Hershey Bears fans. The longtime team President, General Manager, Coach, and player helped to set the standard of excellence for Hershey Bears hockey.
Another Mathers is sure to be remembered by Hershey fans as well and this past weekend he returned to the broadcast booth for the first time in over three decades. Former Bears announcer and Frank’s son, J.D. Mathers, sat in with Bears announcer Scott Stuccio during Sunday’s broadcast.
HERSHEY, PA – The new Hershey Bears Hall of Fame wall (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
It was only appropriate, that on the 75th anniversary of the first home game in Hershey Bears history, that the first ever Hershey Bears Hall of Fame class was enshrined. Seven men were honored for their accomplishments as players, coaches. builders and a game official.
The front of the New Years Eve jerseys for this Saturday’s game (Photo by Kyle Mace)
The Hershey Bears have another special jersey night coming up and they are very…interesting. The New Years Eve jerseys this year include the words “Happy New Year” along with “2012” on the front showing the upcoming year. The Bear on the front also has a party hat on it’s head to give it that “I’m ready to party” look. The back has a clock with the time showing midnight. Both sides have balloons, streamers, and fireworks (what every New Years Eve party should have.)
Before the Hershey – Derry Township Historical Society’s dinner “A Night at the Old Barn” I had the chance to sit down with broadcasting legend Mike “Doc” Emrick in a one-on-one interview. Doc was asked to be the keynote speaker for the dinner and very humbly accepted. Earlier in his broadcasting career, Doc worked for the AHL’s Maine Mariners and had broadcast games at the Hersheypark Arena. Later he was hired as the play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia Flyers. During his time with the Flyers (and later with the New Jersey Devils) Doc and his wife were residents of Hershey. It was during that time that he used to attend games in the Old Barn as his time would allow.