The Hershey Bears announced the signing of forward Simon Pinard to a one-year contract on Thursday.
Pinard, 24, has spent the past two seasons in the Vegas Golden Knights organization, split between the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights and the ECHL’s Tahoe Knight Monsters and Savannah Ghost Pirates. In 63 games for the Knight Monsters this past year, Pinard recorded 64 points (33g, 31a), which ranked second-most on the team.
Pinard has played in 17 career AHL games, recording one assist. Prior to turning pro, the Quebec native played five seasons in the QMJHL with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and Gatineau Olympiques. He also played one season of Canadian college hockey at the University of New Brunswick, helping them win a U Sports national championship.
Throughout Pinard’s career, he has been coached by former Bears players. Included in that list are Armada head coach Bruce Richardson and assistant coach JF Fortin, Olympiques head coach Louis Robitaille and assistant coach Darren Rumble, Ghost Pirates head coach Rick Bennett, and Silver Knights head coach Ryan Craig.
In the Bears organization, Pinard will also reunite with former Silver Knights teammate Sheldon Rempal, who signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals early last month.
Hershey recently announced the hiring of new head coach Derek King, replacing Todd Nelson after he moved up to the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins. King’s club will head into the fall’s training camp with 32 skaters and five goalies on their roster.
Here’s the Hershey Bears’ full press release:
BEARS SIGN SIMON PINARD TO AHL CONTRACT
Forward led ECHL Tahoe with 33 goals in 2024-25 while under AHL contract to Henderson
(Hershey, PA – Aug. 14, 2025) – The Hershey Bears have signed forward Simon Pinard to an American Hockey League contract for the 2025-26 season. The announcement was made by Hershey vice president of hockey operations Bryan Helmer.
Pinard, 24, played last season under an AHL contract with the Henderson Silver Knights, appearing in four games, while playing the majority of the campaign on loan to the Tahoe Knight Monsters of the ECHL, where he finished second in team scoring with 64 points (33g, 31a) in 63 contests. Pinard’s 33 goals led the first-year expansion club, and ranked third overall in the league. Pinard also paced Tahoe with nine power-play goals and six game-winners. Pinard added seven points (4g, 3a) in six playoff contests for the Knight Monsters.
The 5’10”, 190-pound forward has appeared in 17 career AHL games with Henderson, recording one assist, and has collected 112 points (57g, 55a) in 122 ECHL contests with Tahoe and Savannah.
Prior to turning pro, the Drummondville, Quebec native played one season at the University of New Brunswick in 2022-23, where he tallied 29 points (19g, 10a) in 29 games, helping the Reds to a U Sports national championship while being named to the U Sports All-Rookie Team.
