Staff Reports

As if local hockey fans aren't excited enough by the Hershey Bears' Jan. 20 date with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Hersheypark Stadium for the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic.

The Bears announced on Thursday that they are partnering with the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Association to add an Alumni Game to the weekend festivities.

Preceding the the main event on Saturday, Jan. 20 will be the Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic Alumni Game on Friday, Jan. 19 at Hersheypark Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m. for the contest, which will feature former Flyers greats Eric Lindros, John LeClair, Danny Briere and Kimmo Timonen fronting a team that will face a squad of Hershey Bears alumni.

The Alumni Game is included in ticket packages for the 2018 Capital BlueCross Outdoor Classic, which are on sale now at the Giant Center Box Office, by calling 717-534-3911, or online via Ticketmaster. Ticket packages start at just $59.

Among the Bears alumni scheduled to take part are Greg Amadio, Dennis Bonvie, Freddy Cassivi, Bryan Helmer, Graham Mink, and Pascal Trepanier.

Joining Lindros, LeClair, Briere and Timmonen to skate for the Flyers include Arron Asham, Terry Carkner, Riley Cote, Todd Fedoruk, Bob Kelly, Tim Kerr, and Brian Propp, as well as defenders Doug Crossman, Jeff Chychrun, Larry Goodenough, Brad Marsh, and Joe Watson, who will play at 74 years of age. In goal, former Bear Neil Little is confirmed to play for the Flyers, while Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent, along with Paul Holmgren, will serve as coaches.

"We can’t wait to welcome back some of the all-time greats in Hershey history, and we’re thrilled to partner with the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Association,” said Hershey Vice President of Hockey Operations Bryan Helmer in a press release. “With the Bears and Phantoms both having current and past ties to the Flyers, we saw this as a chance to bring some exciting NHL stars to our loyal fans while celebrating our history. The Phantoms are still working on building an alumni following, and the Flyers Alumni Association is very active in the local community, so we saw this as a perfect fit to add even more excitement to the can’t-miss event of our 80th Anniversary Season.”

T