The Hershey Bears didn't used to be the Hershey Bears. When the team was founded in 1932 by chocolate giant Milton Hershey, they were called the "Hershey B'ars," and, briefly, the "Chocolate B'ars" -- as in "chocolate bars." In 1936 the team changed its name to the current one, after people complained that the original name sounded like an advertisement for Hershey's chocolate.
The Hershey Bears didn't always play in such a giant rink. Currently, the Bears play at GIANT Center. Before that, it was the Hersheypark Arena. But long ago, when the team first formed, they played the Ice Palace. The rink was only about 60 feet by 180 feet. But Milton Hershey wanted more. So he built the Hershey Sports Arena. The bears played their first game their in 1936, and kept playing there until the Hersheypark Arena was built decades later.
The Hershey Bears weren't always affiliated with the Washington Capitals. The Bears certainly seem to get around: They've been previously affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Colorado Avalanche, the Boston Bruins and the Buffalo Sabres.
The Bears are one of two teams to share the record for most consecutive Calder Cup playoff series wins. Back in '07, the Hershey Bears tied for consecutive series wins with the Springfield Indians. But the Hamilton Bulldogs took the cup that year, keeping the Bears from breaking the record.
Once upon a time, there was a hockey team called the Canadian-American Hockey League. Only there were no Canadians in it. The Hershey Bears belonged to the CAHL, which was renamed the International-American Hockey League in 1938 -- even though it still had no member teams who weren't from the States.
D. Michael Kirby is a freelance writer living in California. He writes about travel, technology, health and wellness, home improvement, and a plethora of other topics. One of his clients, the Days Inn Hershey, is the finest affordable hotel in Hershey, PA.
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