Hershey Bears lose to the Syracuse Crunch 4-1

Winger Nathan Walker (12) suffered a knee injury in the ECHL. Paul Chaplin | pchaplin@pennlive.com

(PAUL CHAPLIN)

Sent from the Hershey Bears to the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays to get playing time, winger Nathan Walker has suffered a knee injury that will end his 2014-15 season.

Bears assistant coach Bryan Helmer said Tuesday that Walker suffered a torn ACL and is scheduled to have surgery in Washington. The plan is for the second-year pro, taken by the Washington Capitals in the third round (89th overall) of the 2014 NHL entry draft, to return to Hershey for rehabilitation.

"

I guess he went to hit a guy and went in awkwardly," Helmer said.

Walker was en route back to Hershey Tuesday morning. More to come on this story later Tuesday.

NOTEBOOK

Bears head coach Troy Mann departed for a medical exam following Tuesday's practice at Giant Center. Helmer served as team spokesman in his place.

Winger Garrett Mitchell, recovering from a blow to the head, practiced in a non-contact jersey. Helmer said he is scheduled for an exam in Washington on Wednesday. "Hopefully, Thursday he'll be in a normal shirt ready for contact," Helmer said, "and we'll see about the weekend."

Stan Galiev worked at first-line right wing and Chris Brown moved down to fourth-line right wing. "I think Manner's just trying to give Gally a chance on the top line," Helmer said. "He's kind of been getting the short end of the stick being on the fourth line. He's still doing a great job there. Kind of trying to reward him for his play." Brown has been held off the scoresheet in eight of the last nine games. "Brownie has kind of struggled a bit up there," Helmer said. "He's just kind of sending a message to both guys. Brownie has to be good every game. It just seems he plays a couple good games here and then not so much the next couple games. We've got to try to find a way to make him more consistent."

Defensemen Cameron Schilling and Steve Oleksy remained with the Bears, but the Bears are still anticipating that one of the two will be recalled to Washington this week. "I'm not sure which one," Helmer said. "We're waiting for that call. It's unfortunate that we're going to lose a guy like that, but it's good for them. The other guys in the back end are going to have to step up in that position."