The Hershey Bears announced today that the club has signed right-handed defenseman Colin Swoyer to an American Hockey League contract for the 2023-24 season. Swoyer, 25, joins the Bears after spending the 2022-23 season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The Penguins signed the undrafted defenseman out of Michigan Tech to an entry-level contract in March of 2022. Swoyer skated in 36 games with the Penguins, registering 11 points (1g, 10a) in his rookie campaign and tallied his first career AHL goal on Feb. 3 at Springfield on the power play. The blue liner also skated in six games with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers last season, tallying an assist.
Swoyer entered this offseason as a pending restricted free agent but did not receive a qualifying offer, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.
Skating is one of Swoyer’s strengths, as his father, Jim, is a skating coach. It was at his father’s skating sessions that he met defenseman and former Capitals prospect Connor Carrick, who he called his “biggest inspiration” growing up.
Prior to turning pro, the Hinsdale, Illinois native played four seasons at Michigan Tech, compiling 72 points (14g, 58a). He was a two-time Second Team All-Conference member.