the hershey bears are an american professional ice hockey team that began playing in 1938 which makes them the longest-existing team in the ahl. they currently play in the american hockey league and are the farm team of the washington capitals of the nhl. they play their home games in hershey, pennsylvania at the giant center. their echl affiliate team is the south carolina stingrays. the bears have won a total of 11 calder cups.