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.
