Bryan Helmer, an original River Rat and member of the 1995 Calder Cup title team, signed today with the Hershey Bears.

It will be the sixth AHL stop for Helmer, 36, who has also skated with Worcester, Manitoba, Grand Rapids and San Antonio. He spent the last few seasons as the Rampage captain.

I'll be sure to give Helms a call and talk to him about the deal. When he signed his last contract with Phoenix/San Antonio, also as an unrestricted free agent, he said he came close to coming back to play in Albany again. I wonder if Carolina considered signing him, especially with how young the Rats defense will be. Come to think of it, Jay Leach, who signed with Lowell, would have been a nice addition.

Congrats to Helms, who ranks among the best players to pass through Albany, on and off the ice. He is second in career points among AHL defensemen with 454 (112-342) in 848 games, trailing only John Slaney's 519, a mark well within reach.

Helmer was often paired on defense with current Albany assistant coach Geordie Kinnear, and they remain good friends. It would have been great to see them together again.

Helmer is the second former Rat to sign with the Washington Capitals organization this month. Center Keith Aucoin inked a two-year contract, the second a one-way deal, on July 2.