Hershey Bears release Zac Funk from tryout agreement

One player is leaving the Hershey Bears days before the start of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Twenty-year-old forward Zac Funk was released from his tryout agreement with the Bears on Tuesday, officially ending his brief stint with the team.

After finishing his season in junior with the Prince George Cougars, Funk signed a tryout with the AHL team days later, joining the Bears on May 14.

Funk served as a black ace and was a healthy scratch for all three games of the Atlantic Division Finals against the Hartford Wolf Pack. The forward spent his time behind the scenes away from the media, likely participating in Early Skates and working out with the team so that members of the organization could evaluate him. With a low likelihood of Funk suiting up in a game due to the team’s deep depth (Andrew Cristall and Alexander Suzdalev are also black aces), the Bears gave Funk an early start to his offseason. His tryout lasted two weeks.

Funk could return to the area in the summer and suit up for Capitals Development Camp that usually occurs in late June or early July. He’s likely pegged for his rookie season with the Hershey Bears next season.

Three other prospects were signed and were released from tryout agreements since April including Patrick Thomas, Cam Allen, and Brett Hyland.

Funk, while suiting up with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, scored a CHL-leading 67 goals in 68 games while notching 56 assists. His 123 points ranked second in the WHL. Funk was one of just two players in Canada’s three major junior leagues to eclipse the 120-point plateau. The forward prospect chipped in an additional 18 points (8g, 10a) in 15 playoff games. Prince George was eliminated in the Western Conference Finals by the Portland Winterhawks.

Funk was also named a finalist for WHL Player of the Year and selected to the WHL’s first All-Star team. His 67 goals set the new franchise record for goals by a Cougars player, besting a record set by Quinn Hancock (54) back during the 1997-98 WHL season. He also had eight hat tricks.