Two of the top prospects in the Washington Capitals organization are on their way to the Hershey Bears to begin their pro careers.

As the Capitals and Bears mark the 20-year anniversary of the fruitful affiliation they’ve forged, last Thursday’s NHL preseason game at Giant Center provided a vibrant reminder of how and why the relationship works so well, and it comes as Hershey is on the cusp of a season marked with change.

Derek King will admit that before becoming the franchise’s 29th head coach this week, he had minimal connections to the Hershey Bears. But from a distance, at least, King knew what Hershey represents.

Derek King has been named head coach of the Hershey Bears.

Departing Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson made the most of his three seasons with the AHL’s senior-most franchise. Along with the pig roasts, team-bonding outings and memorable quips came a lot of wins.

The Minnesota Wild have acquired pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Chase Priskie and the 123rd overall in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Washington Capitals in exchange for defenseman Declan Chisholm and the 180th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Justin Sourdif from the Florida Panthers for a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have named Todd Nelson as an assistant coach on the staff of new head coach Dan Muse.

No lifting the Calder Cup, no celebrating late into the night, no parading the trophy. Still, the Hershey Bears had plenty to be proud of as they wrapped up their 2024-25 season.

The Hershey Bears’ bid to become the first team since 1962 to win the Calder Cup three consecutive times came to a close Wednesday night.