The American Hockey League (AHL) announced on Wednesday that Bears forward and Capitals prospect Ethen Frank has been named to the AHL’s All Rookie team. Frank is just the fifth Bear all-time to earn this distinction.
MORE FROM THE BEARS
(Hershey, PA – April 12, 2023) –The American Hockey League has announced the 2022-23 AHL All-Rookie Team, as voted by coaches, players, and media in each of the league’s 32 member cities. Selected was Hershey forward Ethen Frank, making him just the fifth Bear all-time to earn this distinction.
Frank, 25, is tied for first among AHL rookies with 27 goals, and has posted 46 points this season in 56 games for Hershey, ranking fifth among first-year AHL players. He ranks first on Hershey in goals, power-play goals (9), and shots (180). Frank’s 27 goals this season are the most by a Bears rookie since Craig Fisher scored a rookie franchise-record 43 goals in the 1990-91 season.
The native of Papillion, Nebraska earned AHL Rookie of the Month for January after recording 13 points (7g, 6a) in 10 games for Hershey. He was selected to participate in the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic in Laval in February, and at the AHL All-Star Skills Competition, he won the CCM Fastest Skater event, completing his lap in 12.915 seconds, becoming the first player to break the 13-second barrier in event history. At the AHL All-Star Challenge, he scored a goal for the Atlantic Division, helping the club to the championship game of the 3-on-3 tournament.
Frank, who was originally inked by the Bears to an AHL contract out of Western Michigan University, signed a one-year, two-way contract with Washington Capitals on Mar. 2 that is set to begin in the 2023-24 season.
Frank is just the second forward in franchise history to earn AHL All-Rookie honors, joining Connor McMichael (2020-21). Defensemen Mike Gaul (1997-98), Mike Green (2005-06), and John Carlson (2009-10) were Hershey’s other representatives on the AHL’s All-Rookie Team, which started in 1996-97.
The complete 2022-23 AHL All-Rookie is as follows:
Goaltender ― Brandon Bussi, Providence Bruins (31 GP, 21-5-4, 2.38 GAA, .925 SV%, 1 SO)
Defenseman ― Ryker Evans, Coachella Valley Firebirds (68 GP, 6-38-44, +21, 18 PPA)
Defenseman ― Jeremie Poirier, Calgary Wranglers (66 GP, 9-32-41, +6, 3 PPG)
Forward ― Ethen Frank, Hershey Bears (56 GP, 27-19-46, +12, 9 PPG, 4 GWG)
Forward ― Tye Kartye, Coachella Valley Firebirds (69 GP, 27-28-55, +17, 5 PPG, 2 SHG, 7 GWG)
Forward ― Georgii Merkulov, Providence Bruins (64 GP, 23-30-53, +3, 11 PPG, 5 GWG)
Each player will receive a custom-designed crystal award in recognition of his selection to the 2022-23 AHL All-Rookie Team.
FRANK’LY SPEAKING
The Capitals announced on March 2 that they had signed Frank to a one-year, two-way deal ($775,000/$205,000) for the 2023-24 season. Frank is currently on an AHL deal (no NHL call-ups) with Hershey, and was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Frank was another high-quality college free-agent signing by Capitals’ Director of Player Recruitment, Danny Brooks, who has also successfully recruited and signed undrafted college free-agents Joe Snively, Bobby Nardella and Clay Stevenson, just to name a few.
[Related:Rookie Ethen Frank Leading The Way In Hershey]
Frank, as a college free-agent, signed with the Bears in April of 2022, and has been by far the most impressive young forward so far this season in Hershey.
Frank was selected to the 2023 AHL All-Star Game, which took in Laval, Quebec. “It means a lot. I’ve been putting in a lot of hard work, so it’s nice to get a little recognition,” Frank told Bears Radio.
As part of the All-Star Game festivities, Frank participated in the fastest skater competition. He not only won with a time of 12.915 seconds, he set a new All-Star Game record.
Rookie Ethen Frank leads the Bears in goals (21) and is second in points (37)… AND HE CAN FLY! #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ctdeTcynvF
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 5, 2023
Frank was interviewed after winning the competition. He was asked what’s the secret to winning the event?
”Skate fast. Really, I don’t know. It’s something we do everyday, all day, after practice and it’s just kind of a normal habit at this point. Gettin’ faster is still one of my goals. Still working on things trying to get things exactly right, and make it as efficient as possible.”
Frank The Tank! Ethen Frank with his second of the game and 15th of the season. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/JPl7ysQ8Vc
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 14, 2023
Frank has been thriving on a line with veterans Mike Sgarbossa and fellow All-Star Mike Vecchione. Frank said he’s been a “sponge” around the vets, gleaning all he can on how to play the professional game.
Ethen Frank makes it 20 goals on the season! #ALLCAPS #HBH cc: @capitals pic.twitter.com/QYmb3JTyZK
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 29, 2023
“I think kinda the standard we set for ourselves every game that we step on the ice. We know we are depended on to create offense and be strong, defensively,” Frank told Bears Radio earlier this week. “I think we keep ourselves accountable, and hold up to that standard when we come back from a bad shift. We’re kinda letting each other know that that’s not good enough and we need to be better, and fix it the next shift.”
By Jon Sorensen
Congrats to Ethan ‘Hot Dog’ Frank! I look forward to seeing him in preseason and maybe a regular game or two in October for the Caps. Either way, could he have an even better development year in Hershey next year or does his age have him topped out in the AHL now. What I mean is, could he be done developing?
Yes – Don’t Stephenson Ethan Frank
Has a little humility. Will help during the learning process
NYI needs one point tonight vs MTL to send Cindy’s Ladies home for the summer. Let’s Go Islanders
All eyes on FRI 14 April at 0900 EDT. It’s HCPL Time. Will He Stay or Will He Go?
I think you’re over valuing the Guy. Its not like he’s an 19 or 20 year old, what we’re seeing now is probably close to his full ceiling. But it would be great if he somehow becomes more than what he is rn.
I don’t think you can make a linear assessment of a player’s development. It’s not linear. There are ages of growth and that varies. Frank wasn’t drafted but he had teams lining up hoping to sign him this offseason. I think that demonstrates a non-linear progression. Joe Snively is the same. Clay Stevenson is another example of non-linear development.
I wouldn’t Stephenson Ethan Frank…but I would, without seeing him play on the Caps, trade him out with a draft pick to move Mantha’s last year off the books. I would also include him in any trade for a top 6 forward.
lmao, yeah, should have traded 19 or 92 for Stepphenson. You act like Vegas put him on the top line when they got him….sheesh, the player got better. Caps trade Kuzy or backy back then and this board melts down…
The player got better in Vegas because he was given an opportunity to get better. He was stuck on the 4th line in Washington.
Pay attention, Horny. Look at things other than goals and assists in the box score, and observe things like ice time
Congratulations Franky!
Way to go, Ethen!
It’d be fantastic if Ethen makes it in the NHL as a 25 goal guy.
Danny Brooks has brought in some good prospects but have any of them made an impact at the NHL level yet?
The top Caps prospects now are CMac, Jimi Hendrix, Miro, Alexeev, Iorio, Chesley, Suds,
Speed and a filthy shot. Looking forward to September when he makes a run at the big club.
He and McMichael will duel for a spot in the fall. And that’s gonna be a great battle.
When can I buy Hershey bears playoff tickets?!
They said last night during the game that an announcement regarding playoff tickets will come in the next couple of days. They have a first round bye so there is less of an urgency in some sense.
The Stingrays beat the Ghost Pirates 5-0 with Tyler Wall getting his third shutout of the season. Despite the Ray’s 4 PKs including a 5 on 3, Tyler stopped all 27 shots.
Bear Hughes, Benton Maass, and Martin Has did not play. Kim had an assist and 2 SOG.
The Rays still need one point to win the division. Founded in 1993, the Stingrays are the oldest continuously operating ECHL franchise still in its original city. They have won the Kelly Cup 3 times and have been to the playoffs every year but 2. They were affiliated with the Caps from 2004 to 2012 and then again from 2012.
Spencer Carbery played for the Rays (forward) and was also assistant and head coach (ECHL Coach of the Year 2014-2015). Same for Jared Bednar (defense). Bednar won the Kelly Cup with the Rays (Rays lost in the finals twice under Carbery).
Capitals who have played in North Charleston include Sean Collins, Kyle Wilson, Nathan Walker, Joey Tenute, Garrett Mitchell. Tyler Lewington, Jonas Johansson, Andrew Gordon, Pheonix Copley, Phillipp Grubauer, Braden Holtby, Michal Neuvirth, and Vitek Vanecek. Parker Milner, a Caps preseason stalwart, was named ECHL Goalie of the Year 2017-2018.
Gotta like Ethan Frank. He really made the most of his opportunity this year.
Question is next year, does he come in like Protas or Snively? Can he separate from others. Protas did. Snively (nor CMM) did.
To me Frank is similar to Snively except right shot. Older. Wheels. Good scoring in college and AHL. The both need to play middle six and aren’t suited for 4th line role. That has helped Protas.
We need a top 6 import (2 if you move Kuzy) but we need Hershey guys to take spots. Malenstyn, Protas, McMichael, Frank, Snively all have legit shots to make the roster. Only 2-3 will make the 13 Forwards.
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