Travels of the Calder Cup with 2023 Champion Hershey Bears
See where Hershey Bears players have celebrated their day with the Calder Cup this summer
It’s been almost two months since Mike Vecchione’s goal in overtime of Game 7 of the 2023 Calder Cup Finals gave the Hershey Bears their 12th championship, extending their record-setting postseason dominance of the American Hockey League.
After returning from California and a spirited celebration at GIANT Center, the Calder Cup briefly made its way around town at the various favored hotspots of the players, before the Bears departed for their summer homes.
But that does not mean the celebrations have concluded.
Like the NHL’s Stanley Cup, the Bears make every effort to provide their players and hockey operations staff with their “Day with the Cup,” to celebrate their hard-earned achievements with family and friends.
Here’s a quick look at the Cup’s travels across North America thus far.
The Travels Of The Calder Cup
It began in Minnesota in mid-July, as Shane Gersich kicked off the Cup’s tour by bringing it back to his home state.
Following a brief detour at the AHL’s Board of Governors meeting in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the Cup then made its way to Washington D.C./Maryland area, where Sam Anas brought it to his childhood rink.
What a day to celebrate! For his day with the cup, @samanas7 returned to his childhood ice rink, the Rockville (MD) Ice Arena to meet fans as well as have the @CalderCup share his high school stall with the state championship he won as a senior! pic.twitter.com/bhQCrVH6gO
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) July 25, 2023
The Cup then traveled north of the border to Calgary, Alberta where Riley Sutter was on hand to receive it and host a massive party at the home of his parents, Ron and Margo.
There's definitely some excellence in this hockey family photo of @sutts_14! pic.twitter.com/cTp1tJCRkm
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 2, 2023
One thing we're sure of: the Sutter clan knows how to throw a Calder Cup party! pic.twitter.com/mHiyM42kJv
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 2, 2023
Sutter even placed his baby cousin in the Cup!
⚠BABY IN THE CUP ALERT⚠
I repeat, we've got a baby in the Cup 👶🏼 pic.twitter.com/Ytgi7mBh8D— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 3, 2023
After spending time with the Sutters, Riley handed the Cup off in Calgary to former teammate Garrett Pilon, who brought it to gorgeous Invermere, British Columbia.
Garrett Pilon used his day with the @CalderCup to hit the links, visit the local pub, and take in some breathtaking Canadian outdoors - there was even a bear warning posted! Luckily, Peels had Bobble Mac ready to defend. 🐻 pic.twitter.com/I1CWeWURUQ
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) July 30, 2023
The Cup remained in Canada, traveling east to the province of Quebec, where defenseman Jake Massie took over the trophy, getting in some time on the golf course…
We all know hockey players enjoy their summer golf sessions.@jakemassie3 is no exception. pic.twitter.com/jjQxVGVh7v
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 7, 2023
…and even feeding carrots to a horse out of the Cup’s bowl!
He feeds horses carrots out of the Calder Cup…
𝙃𝙀 𝙄𝙎…𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙈𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙈𝘼𝙉 𝙄𝙉 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙒𝙊𝙍𝙇𝘿 🧐 pic.twitter.com/a0uVxkE0Dq— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 7, 2023
The Cup remained in la belle province, where it next made its way to Hendrix Lapierre. The Washington Capitals prospect brought it to Aylmer, and enjoyed a busy day at the golf course and a local bar, celebrating the occasion with family and friends.
The Cup journeyed back west, where Beck Malenstyn brought it to his family’s hops farm in British Columbia.
Greetings from Crescent Island Farms in lovely Delta, British Columbia, where @malenstyn is putting Calder to work on the family hops farm! 🚜🌾 pic.twitter.com/bzNoyUnr5h
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 15, 2023
He even let his dog Wrigley eat from the bowl!
🚨PUP CUP ALERT🚨
This is now a Wrigley Malenstyn fan account. Those are the rules. pic.twitter.com/K2mQ3ihG88— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 15, 2023
With under two months to go until Opening Night for the 2023-24 Hershey Bears season, the Calder Cup still has plenty of frequent flier miles to log in its journeys amongst players and staff for the 2023 Calder Cup champions. Be sure to continue to follow the Bears on social media to keep up with where the Cup has been!