Helmer and Yingst Inducted Into AHL Hall of Fame
The American Hockey League inducted their 12th group into the Hall of Fame this year. Two of those individuals were Hershey’s own Doug Yingst, former general manager of the Hershey Bears, and Bryan Helmer, Hershey Bears’ current vice president of hockey operations.
Doug Yingst served the Hershey Bears over 34 years. He was originally hired as the sales and promotions director before being promoted to assistant general manager under Frank Mathers, then moving into his final role as general manager. Doug received the AHL’s Ken McKenzie Award for outstanding promotion of the team in 1987-88, was honored with the James C. Hendy Award as the league’s outstanding executive in both 2000 and 2006, and was the recipient of the Thomas Ebright Award for this career contributions in 2008. He retired from the Hershey Bears in 2016 with eight trips to the Calder Cup Finals and four championships as general manager.
Bryan Helmer is not only the current vice president of hockey operations for the Hershey Bears, but also a past player and assistant coach for the team. He skated two seasons with The Bears in 2008-09 and 2009-10. This is where he maintained the captain spot for the team, bringing Hershey two Calder Cup Championships. Before his professional playing career ended in 2013, Bryan received the league’s Fred T. Hun Memorial Award in 2010-11 as the player exemplifying sportsmanship, determination and dedication to the game of hockey. He then returned to Hershey in 2014 to serve as an assistant coach for two seasons, one of them ending in a Calder Cup Finals appearance. Bryan moved to his current role as vice president of hockey operations in July 2016.
The Hershey Bears team and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts organization are both extremely proud and honored to have these two gentlemen part of the Hershey Bears. We are pleased that their contributions were recognized by the American Hockey League.