HERSHEY, Dad. — Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carberry knows a thing or two about winning in Hershey.
Was the former coach of the Hershey Bears we’re back at the GIANT Center on Mondayleading his Capitals to a 5-2 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Carberry spent three seasons as head coach of the AHL’s Bears from 2018-2021, compiling a 104-50-9-8 record during his tenure, including a league-best 24-7-2 record in his final season. His final season behind the bench for the Bears ended with him winning the Louis AR Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL’s most outstanding coach.
“Every time you come back here, drive a bus, fly, walk into this building, I’m embarrassed,” Carberry said after Monday’s game. “I’ve spent three years as a coach, but essentially five years with my family in this city and seeing familiar faces.”
Six current Capitals players have won the Calder Cup during their time with the Bears organization. Ethan Frank, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Aliaksey Protas, Dylan McIlrath, Clay Stevensonand: Bogdan Trineev all won championships with the Bears.
All six former AHL champions logged minutes for the Capitals during Monday’s exhibition.
“This building, this organization, this community means a lot to a lot of guys that played tonight,” Carberry said. “They’ve won championships here, they’ve won Calder Cups. They called this place home. They had so many memorable moments on that ice, so to come here again this year and play well in front of the home fans … I’m proud of the guys because it means a lot to a lot of people who were here today.”
Monday marked the second straight season and fourth year overall that the Capitals played a preseason game at the GIANT Center. Last year, the Capitals beat the Flyers 5-1.