The Washington Capitals, NHL affiliate to the Hershey Bears, signed two players to entry-level contracts on Monday. Ryan Chesley and David Gucciardi are set to join the Bears following the conclusion of their college seasons. Both players signed amateur tryout agreements (ATOs) to join the Bears for the remainder of the season. Both players were selected by the Capitals in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Gucciardi Signs
The first announced signing is Gucciardi, who joins the Bears on an ATO for the remainder of 2024-25. His entry-level contract with Washington is for two seasons. Gucciardi completed his fourth season at Michigan State University over the weekend at the NCAA tournament. He set new career-highs in goals (six), assists (ten), and points (16) as well as a plus-21 mark in 37 games played.
Gucciardi’s college season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion. Michigan State suffered a heartbreaking loss in the final seconds to Cornell on March 27. It’s a tough ending to a great season, where the team collected trophies in five other tournaments. The decision was a massive upset in the tournament in single elimination.
Gucciardi will join the Bears after being drafted in the seventh round, 213th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He’s worked on his game and improved significantly since that time. It will be a big opportunity for him with Hershey on a team missing some of its defensive prowess.
Chesley Arrives
The other big arrival is the addition of defenseman Ryan Chesley. Similarly to Gucciardi, Chesley’s season came to a heartbreaking end with the University of Minnesota. A missed call that saw Chesley hauled down led to an overtime-winner for UMass and the end of his season. In 40 games, Chesley set new career highs in goals (eight), assists (12), and points (20) along with a plus-17 mark. He previously skated for Team USA in the World Juniors in 2023 and 2024, winning gold in the latter year.
Chesley was drafted in the second round, 37th overall, in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old turns pro after his third season with Minnesota. He’s one of several US-born prospects in Washington’s system and the first one to arrive in Hershey. Chesley’s contract is a three-year, entry-level contract as he is one year younger than Gucciardi.
Immediate Impact With Bears
It’s a big opportunity for the pair of defenders. The Bears have had a lot of players suit up on the blue line this season with several key departures. Key parts of the Calder Cup team in Logan Day and Hardy Haman Aktell left for teams overseas. Experienced players like captain Aaron Ness and Jake Massie have missed time with injuries.
It has added up to leave a void on the blue line that the team has admirably filled from within. The two new additions can fill in immediately on the blue line as options with the playoffs not far away. Both players stand at 6’1 and about 190 pounds each, giving solid size and mobility on the blue line.
The adjustment from college ranks to the AHL is among the toughest in hockey. It will no doubt come with growing pains and adjustments along the way. Once the Bears are fully healthy (they are trending that way), these players will get a close look at the Calder Cup Playoffs. It’s all good experience for them to get before hitting the ground running in the organization full time.
It will be a battle to earn playing time in Hershey next fall. The Bears have high expectations of competing for a Calder Cup each year. If the roster is full, the players could join the South Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL for prominent playing time. It’s an experience that has paid off well so far for other players in the system. The Stingrays lead the ECHL with 101 points and have a 13-game winning streak. The organization has succeeded at all levels this season and experience at any level is important for development.
