Alex Limoges was one of many Calder Cup champions with the Hershey Bears to move on this summer. The 27-year-old forward signed a one-year contract with the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk in late July, moving overseas for the first time in his career after two seasons with the Bears.

Limoges became an unrestricted free agent this summer when his second one-year contract with the Washington Capitals expired on July 1. He recently explained to The Winchester Star’s Robert Niedzwiecki his thought process behind departing Hershey and opting for a deal in Russia versus another in the AHL.

“[For 2025-26] I was also looking for a bit more opportunity,” Limoges said to Niedzwiecki. “I knew [the Caps organization] had a lot of high-end prospects coming in, so I thought I would get lost in the fold there. The whole thing I’ve been saying throughout this whole process is I want a chance in the NHL. I thought heading into free agency, there were going to be more options.”

As Limoges notes, the Bears are expected to be a much younger team next season, with prospects like Andrew Cristall, Ilya Protas, Ryan Chesley, and Leon Muggli expected to compete for big roles on the club. Todd Nelson, the head coach behind the team’s back-to-back Calder Cups in 2023 and 2024, also moved on to an NHL job with the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer, being replaced by Derek King.

King, an assistant coach with the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks for the past three seasons, is expected to come in and help develop the stockpiled youth. To do so, the younger players will likely need more regular playing time, which could squeeze out veterans and limit the chances for a player like Limoges to shine with experienced linemates.

“I wanted to go somewhere that would give me the best chance to play in North America [in 2026-27],” Limoges said. “The KHL is the second-best league in the world. They play to win, and I feel it’s going to make me better, playing in those meaningful games. Hopefully, I’ll be playing a lot and doing well.”

Limoges, a Winchester, Virginia native, didn’t receive a recall from the Capitals during his two years in the team’s organization. Instead, the Penn State alum played in 115 games for the Bears, recording 95 points (41g, 54a).

Thank you Limo – you’ll be a champion in Chocolatetown forever!

Join us in wishing Alex Limoges all the best as he continues his career in Belarus with HC Dynamo Minsk of the KHL. pic.twitter.com/5m3lxupap8

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) July 31, 2025

The Capitals were the second NHL organization Limoges was a part of, spending the 2022-23 campaign on an entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets. He did not see any NHL action for the Jets either, playing 63 games for their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.

Dinamo finished fourth in the KHL’s Western Conference this past year, advancing to the second round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs, where Traktor Chelyabinsk eliminated them in five games. With Dinamo, Limoges will join fellow former Bears Sam Anas and Zach Fucale.