Hershey Bears Name 30-Man Opening Night Roster for 2026-27
The Bears open their 89th season Saturday against Charlotte with Jonny Brodzinski, Lynden Lakovic and Justin Holl among the key additions.
The Hershey Bears announced a 30-player opening-night roster on Friday ahead of their 89th season. They host the Charlotte Checkers at GIANT Center on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. ET.
The roster includes 19 forwards, eight defencemen and three goaltenders. Nineteen players appeared for Hershey during the 2025-26 regular season or the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Bogdan Trineyev returns after recording 45 points, with 17 goals and 28 assists, in 62 games last season. Matt Strome is also back. New forwards include Jonny Brodzinski, a former Hartford captain, and Lynden Lakovic, whom Washington selected 27th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Louie Belpedio returns on defence after leading Hershey's defencemen with 34 points, including nine goals and 25 assists. Jacob MacDonald and Justin Holl join the blue line.
Garin Bjorklund, Mitch Gibson and Cal Petersen make up the goaltending group. Petersen recently joined Hershey on an AHL contract.
Patrick Thomas is still rehabilitating an injury in Hershey and cannot be added to the roster until he is healthy.
