Hershey Bears Reveal New Logos and Sweaters for 75th Season and Announce Plans for Club’s Hall of Fame

The Hershey Bears have revealed all new logos and sweaters for this season in celebration of the franchise’s 75-year history. Further, the franchise has also announced plans for a new Hershey Bears Hockey Club Hall of Fame.

According to Bears President/GM Doug Yingst, the new logos ands sweaters represent the long legacy of Hershey Bears hockey, combining a historic look with a modern spin on it.

However, the new changes don’t stop here…Bears team mascot Coco has had a bit of a makeover too. It appears that his days of endless chocolate bars and his resulting round figure are over and a newer, skinnier Coco has been born. According to the team website, “Coco has undertaken a new health and fitness routine created by BEARS head trainer Dan “Beaker” Stuck, which emphasizes Coco’s dedication to healthy choices and exercise.”

(To see Coco’s previous round look, click here. For his new slim look, click here.)

It’s always a leap of faith when adopting new jerseys and/or logos, but I’d say the Bears nailed it on this one…but then again they have a lot of practice with it….how many jersey and logo combinations have they had over the past 10 years…like 20 million? Needless to say they’ve all been great.

Mmmm, white beauty…kind of like Bryz’s huskies… (Image: @ahlstore)

Hershey’s new sweaters somewhat resemble their previous third jerseys, but have been updated with classier color shades and other minor tweaks. Combining a historic look with modern touches, Hershey’s new sweaters provide a timeless iconic look by use of classic simplistic methods.

In addition to the new visual changes to the franchise, the Hershey Bears also announced plans for the inception of a Hershey Bears Hockey Club Hall of Fame, which will be located on the main concourse at the Giant Center.

According to the team website, the new Hall of Fame “will showcase the team’s history and recognize outstanding players, coaches, executives, officials and individuals who helped shape the BEARS and the antecedent HERSHEY B’ars.” Further, the website states that the inaugural hall of fame class, which is set to be announced once the season has begun, will be inducted on the anniversary of the first ever home game played by the Bears, December 19th.

Each hall of fame class will be divided into four categories: Player, Builder, Officials, and General. In order to be elected into the club’s hall of fame, each candidate must receive 80 percent of the votes from the newly created Hershey Bears Hockey Club Hall of Fame Election Committee. According to the team’s website, this committee includes the following people:

Bill Simpson, President and COO of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company (non-voting member); Doug Yingst, HERSHEY BEARS President/General Manager; J. Bruce McKinney, retired President, CEO and Chairman of HERCO (1986-2000); Ken Hatt, retired President and COO of HERCO (1980-86); Dr. Bob Goodman, AHL Linesman; Dave Parro, President of the HERSHEY BEARS Alumni Association; Don Scott, HERSHEY BEARS Public Address Announcer; Randy Waybright, HERSHEY BEARS Supervisor of Off-Ice Officials; Vikki Hiltquist, Managing Director-Entertainment of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company; Maria Stouffer, HERSHEY BEARS Business Services Manager; and Tim Leone, Patriot-News Columnist/Reporter

Like most things they do, Hershey’s new logos and sweaters are top notch. Additionally, the announcement of a hall of fame is just further evidence of Hershey’s Grade A legacy.

Uh, something tells me the actual jersey isn’t as…greenish as it looks in this image. (Image: @ahlstore)

With these new announcements from Hershey, I plan on easing my lockout sorrows by purchasing a fancy new chocolate and white sweater and treating myself to an $18 seat in the nosebleeds on the night of the Hall of Fame unvieling. Sure beats paying $50+ to see the Caps host the Blue Jackets on a Tuesday night in March. Thanks/you’re welcome ahead of time, Bears.

B-E-A-R-S BEARS BEARS BEARS

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