The Hershey Bears announced on Thursday afternoon they have signed former Washington Capitals prospect Shane Gersich to a one-year deal for the 2022-23 season. Gersich became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2021-22 season. The signing will help fill the void on the left side of the Bears lineup.
The 2021-22 season started slow for Gersich, but he eventually found his game before the holidays. He would ultimately have a career year in goals (14), assists (20) and total points (34). He has become a pretty good puck battler and his play along the boards continued to improve during his 2021-22 season. He shot the puck 152 times for a 9.2% shooting percentage.
Gersich, 26, signed his entry-level contract with the Capitals on March 23rd, 2018 and reported to the Capitals the following day. His contract was for two years at $925,000 AAV, with the remainder of the 2018 season counting on the contract.
Glad we could help our old friend @shane_gersich9 jump start his truck today! Apparently he was gone for a little while playing for a giant cup or something. @Capitals #CongratulationsChamp #StanleyCup #BestCopsAround pic.twitter.com/0FkyylKuVO
— University of North Dakota Police (@UNDPoliceDept) June 18, 2018
Gersich then signed a series of one-year extensions. He signed a one-year, two way contract with the Capitals on May 20, 2019 and signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Capitals on Oct. 14, 2020.
He last signed an additional one-year two-way contract ($750,000/$187,500) on June 19, 2021. He became an unrestricted free agent (G6) at the end of the 2021-22 season.
Shane Gersich: 2022 Annual Review And Forecast
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The Hershey Bears announced today the club has signed forward Shane Gersich to an American Hockey League contract for the 2022-23 season. The announcement was made by Hershey’s vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer.
Gersich, 26, is coming off a career-year with the Bears in 2021-22, collecting 34 points (14g, 20a) over 71 games. He set new personal bests in games played, goals, assists, points, and penalty minutes (60). Gersich, who plays all forward positions for Hershey, ranked tied for fifth on the team in scoring, added three game-winning goals, and ranked second on the team in shots (152).
The native of Chaska, Minn. has played four seasons with Hershey, compiling 90 points (38g, 52a) in 224 games. A key cog on Hershey’s penalty kill, Gersich has scored five career shorthanded goals. He’s also skated in nine playoff games for the Bears in his tenure, posting three points (1g, 2a).
The 5’11”, 180-pound forward was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL Draft by Washington. After an accomplished career at the University of North Dakota, including an NCAA title in 2016, Gersich joined the Capitals late in the 2017-2018 season. He skated in three games for Washington that year, tallying one assist, and also appeared in two postseason games en route to Washington’s 2018 Stanley Cup win.
The Bears open the 2022-23 season, presented by Penn State Health, versus the Utica Comets at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 at GIANT Center. Single game tickets go on sale on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. Fans may join the Season Ticket Holder community with plans starting at less than $12 per game. Choose your games and seats with Full and Partial plans available now.
Bears contract so he can’t be called up to the Caps, right? How many contracts do the Caps have available? I just read that the Bolts are down to two.
That’s correct. He would need to sign an NHL deal to play for Caps.
Thanks. If I’m reading CapFriendly correctly, Caps are also down to just two contracts left. What are the 90 reserve list positions? Caps have used 67 of them.
I haven’t checked lately, but they were running low. Two sounds right, and something that was likely considered in one or more of these recent “Hershey Bears” signings. Keeps the player close at hand if needed.
The Caps could open up a contract by cutting ties with Riley Sutter. He really doesn’t have a future with the Caps. Sutter also doesn’t really have a spot with Hershey. Maybe it is best for both sides to just move on.
Good signing for the Bears. He’s an asset to the team, grit, leadership, pk, occasional goal.
Agree, his game has steadily improved. He’s getting older (like the rest of us) but I didn’t want to stop tracking his game, as each season he’s shown a little more, after he was transitioned from a scorers role to a line driving role.
Do you think he would be a posible replacement for Sheary next year?
It would be a tall order, but I’m done betting against Gersich. The team changed his role 2-3 seasons ago, and he adapted well. I’ve watched everyone of his games in Hershey, and can honestly say he’s improved each step along the way. He needs a really good year this year, and I wouldn’t put it past him.
This is exactly what it should be. One way AHL contract. Surprised he signed with Bears but I am happy about it.