Braves alum Hughes inks with AHL Bears

Spokane Braves alum Bear Hughes has signed an AHL contract with the Hershey Bears. Larry Brunt photo

 

The Hershey Bears announced yesterday that the club signed forward Bear Hughes to an American Hockey League contract for the 2022-23 season. 

Hughes, 20, a former Spokane Brave, led the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs in all scoring categories this season, posting a team best in goals (24), assists (43), and points (67). He was named Spokane’s 35th captain in team history this past January, and earned U.S. Division Second All-Star Team honours. 

The 6-2, 171-pound forward posted 116 points (42g, 74a) over his 127-game WHL career. The Post Falls, Idaho native was selected by Washington in the 5th round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He signed a tryout with the Bears on May 3, but did not see any game action. 

In Hughes’ lone season with the Braves in the KIJHL in 2018-19, he racked up 41 goals in 46 games and added 25 assists. In the playoffs, Hughes had six goals and 10 points in seven games.