The Hershey Bears announced on Wednesday that the team has signed Logan Day to an AHL contract. The defenseman returns for his third season in Hershey on a one-year deal. Day, 29, has been an integral part of the Bears’ back-to-back Calder Cup teams. His return adds to a loaded Hershey squad looking for another big season in 2024-25.
Happy Day
It’s been a sweet partnership between Day and the Bears since the two joined forces in 2022-23. He tallied 12 assists in 36 games during his first season and took his game to another level in the playoffs. Day finished second in scoring among defensemen in the postseason with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 19 games.
He had five assists in the final five games of the Calder Cup Finals. One of those helpers happened to be an integral keep-in at the blue line that directly led to Garrett Pilon’s overtime winner in Game Five. It’s an iconic goal that sent the Bears back to California with a series lead.
Day had a strong season in 2023-24, racking up 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) in 54 games played. During the postseason, Day had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 15 games in another clutch performance. This time around, he had an assist on Garrett Roe’s series-winning goal in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Final. Day also assisted on Jimmy Huntington’s game-winning goal in Game Five of the Calder Cup Final.
Big Day on the Blue Line
Day’s return adds to a busy time for the Bears’ defensive group. Hershey added veteran defenseman Brad Hunt less than a week ago. The team’s blue line is already packed with quality players. These two signings add even more quality to the lineup in addition to quality people, a prerequisite in Hershey. It’ll be a logjam of players at all positions to start the season, but every player will be called upon over the course of 72 games.
Hershey’s blue line was slowly whittled away by injuries over the course of the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Day missed some time but was a mainstay with the likes of Aaron Ness, Lucas Johansen, and Vincent Iorio all injured. Hershey’s depth, featuring Day, Jake Massie, Dmitry Osipov, and Nicky Leivermann stepped up and won the day (pun intended).
Blue Line Battle
It gives the Bears plenty of options going into the season. Hershey has Dylan McIlrath, Hardy Haman Aktell, Vincent Iorio, Aaron Ness, Chase Priskie, and Hunt as their top six. Reliable players like Day, Massie, Osipov, and Leivermann will be waiting in the wings and will play plenty of games. Between injuries and NHL recalls, the Bears have plenty of quality depth to minimize the impact of player losses.
Depth is a big key at the AHL level. If the Washington Capitals face an injury crisis on the blue line, it could force players otherwise in Hershey to be away for an extended time. Iorio, a top draft pick of the Capitals, is expected to see time in the NHL and figures to graduate soon. McIlrath, Hershey’s captain, was impressive during a stint in the NHL late last season.
Hershey will have players like Hunt, an experienced NHL player and captain of the Colorado Eagles, on board for leadership. Day and Massie have proven to be extremely reliable players. Leivermann stepped up in the playoffs and should be in the conversation for more AHL time. It’s clear the Bears have built a bid for the Calder Cup for a third straight season with a chance for major AHL history.
