The Hershey Bears announced the re-signing of defenseman Jon McDonald to a one-year AHL contract, Wednesday morning.
The 26-year-old rearguard played in 31 regular-season games for the Bears last season, posting six points (3g, 3a). He also suited up in 7 of the team’s 8 playoff games.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
McDonald, who re-signed a day after depth defenseman Nicky Leivermann put pen to paper on a one-year extension, joins a remade Bears’ blueline that includes captain Aaron Ness; prospects Vincent Iorio and Ryan Chesley; and recent free agent signings Louie Belpedio and Calle Rosen. Waiting in the wings are rookies David Gucciardi, Leon Muggli, and Cam Allen.
The 2024-25 season saw several firsts for the Livonia, Michigan native, including his first AHL point in his first AHL game on December 8 against Lehigh Valley. He also scored his first AHL goal on January 19 against Rochester.
McDonald also appeared in 12 games for the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays during the 2024-25 campaign, tallying 9 points (2g, 7a). He served as a black ace during Hershey’s 2024 Calder Cup championship run.
Here’s the press release from the Hershey Bears:
BEARS RE-SIGN DEFENSEMAN JON MCDONALD
Blueliner skated in 31 games for Hershey in his first AHL campaign in 2024-25
(Hershey, PA – July 9, 2025) – The Hershey Bears have announced that the club has re-signed defenseman Jon McDonald to an American Hockey League contract for the 2025-26 season. The announcement was made by Hershey vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer.
McDonald, 26, scored six points (3g, 3a) in 31 games for Hershey during the 2024-25 season. He made his AHL debut on Dec. 8 versus Lehigh Valley, striking for an assist, and he scored his first AHL goal on Jan. 19 versus Rochester. McDonald also appeared in seven playoff games for Hershey.
The native of Livonia, Michigan also skated in 12 games with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays last season, scoring nine points (2g, 7a). He was a Black Ace during Hershey’s 2024 Calder Cup run after completing his rookie season with the Stingrays in 2023-24 where he scored 17 points (4g, 13a) in 64 games. He also skated in 10 games with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye in 2022-23 after finishing up his NCAA career at UMass-Lowell.
