Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)

For the IHL franchise, see Orlando Solar Bears (IHL).
Orlando Solar Bears
2016–17 ECHL season
City Orlando, Florida
League ECHL
Conference Eastern
Division South
Founded 2012
Home arena Amway Center
Colors Solar purple, seafoam green, sunset orange, sunrise gold, white
                        
Owner(s) Orlando Pro Hockey Operations, L.P.
Head coach Drake Berehowsky
Media Orlando Sentinel , WJRR, ECHL.TV,
Affiliates Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Franchise history
2012–present Orlando Solar Bears

The Orlando Solar Bears are a professional ice hockey team that plays their home games at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. They play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference.

History

The team revived the name of the original Orlando Solar Bears, who played in the International Hockey League from 1995 to 2001.[1] The franchise also retained the original colors of their IHL predecessor, while adding the color Sunrise Gold. They are Orlando's third professional hockey team, after the original Solar Bears and Orlando Seals (2002–2004). Together with the Florida Everblades of Estero, they are one of two ECHL franchises in Florida. They are the eighth ECHL franchise to have the name of a previous IHL franchise, joining four current teams (Cincinnati Cyclones, Fort Wayne Komets, Utah Grizzlies and Kalamazoo Wings) and three former teams (the defunct Phoenix Roadrunners and Long Beach Ice Dogs; and the Peoria Rivermen).

The Solar Bears utilize RDV Sportsplex Ice Den as their training facility and offices.

On May 10, 2012, the team announced that it will be affiliated with the Minnesota Wild of the NHL and the Houston Aeros of the AHL.[2]

On June 19, 2012, the Solar Bears announced that former NHL player Drake Berehowsky would serve as the team's first head coach.[3] During their inaugural season, the Solar Bears post a 20-11-1-4 record on home ice, however the team struggled on the road and missed the playoffs with a 28-27-7 overall record.[4]

On June 19, 2013, the Solar Bears announced that Vince Williams would serve as head coach. Williams is a former Solar Bears defenseman.

On July 22, 2013, the Solar Bears announced their affiliation with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL and the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. On August 1, 2014, the Leafs announced they extended their affiliation with the Solar Bears for an additional two years, during which point the Leafs will be the Solar Bears' sole NHL affiliate.[5]

The Solar Bears hosted the 2015 ECHL All-Star Game at Amway Center on January 21, 2015.

On June 30, 2015, Anthony Noreen was announced as the new head coach of the Solar Bears for the 2015–16 season after guiding the United States Hockey League's Youngstown Phantoms to the league championship and being named USHL Coach of the Year.[6]

On May 5, 2016 the Solar Bears announced they have renewed their affiliation with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL and the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.[7] The Solar Bears missed the 2016 playoffs and then started the 2016–17 season with a 5-5-1-0 record. On November 14, 2016, head coach Anthony Noreen was replaced by former Solar Bears' head coach Drake Berehowsky.[4]

Media

The radio broadcasts for Orlando Solar Bears games are streamed online through iHeart Radio on the online channel for WYGM "740 the Game".

As with all ECHL teams, video of Orlando Solar Bears games are available on ECHL.TV, usually with a choice between home or away radio feeds for audio.

Season-by-season results

Regular Season Playoffs
Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Standing Avg. Attendance Year 1st round 2nd round 3rd round Kelly Cup
2012–13722837 3 4631972535th, South6,6682013 Out of playoffs
2013–14724324 2 3912252192nd, South6,3552014 L, 2–4, CIN ———
2014–15723725 6 4842362154th, East6,2092015 L, 2–4, FLA ———
2015–16723330 4 5752242323rd, South6,2262016 Out of playoffs

Current roster

Updated September 20, 2016.[8]
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# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
7 United States Baier, EricEric Baier (C) D R 28 2013 North Kingstown, Rhode Island Solar Bears
19 United States Block, AustinAustin Block C R 27 2015 Denver, Colorado Solar Bears
Canada Brace, AdamAdam Brace LW L 28 2016 Pembroke, Ontario Solar Bears
23 United States Bradley, ChrisChris Bradley D L 23 2016 Williamsville, New York Solar Bears
Canada Crowder, PaulPaul Crowder C R 31 2016 Victoria, British Columbia Solar Bears
United States Danford, BenBen Danford D R 27 2016 Stillwater, Minnesota Solar Bears
United States DeSantis, JasonJason DeSantis D R 30 2016 Oxford, Michigan Solar Bears
Canada Doherty, TaylorTaylor Doherty D R 25 2016 Cambridge, Ontario Solar Bears
United States Gaarder, ConnorConnor Gaarder RW R 25 2016 Edina, Minnesota Solar Bears
United States Johnson, MattMatt Johnson RW R 25 2016 Stillwater, Minnesota Solar Bears
United States Ludwig, TrevorTrevor Ludwig D L 31 2016 Colleyville, Texas Solar Bears
14 Canada Manderson, DenverDenver Manderson C R 27 2014 Fergus, Ontario Solar Bears
31 United States Massa, RyanRyan Massa G L 26 2015 Littleton, Colorado Solar Bears
21 United States McInnis, JohnnyJohnny McInnis (A) RW L 27 2015 Boston, Massachusetts Solar Bears
Canada Montgomery, BrockBrock Montgomery RW L 24 2016 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Solar Bears
United States Moore, BryanBryan Moore W L 22 2016 Indian Trail, North Carolina Solar Bears
2 United States Nicastro, MaxMax Nicastro D R 26 2016 Thousand Oaks, California Solar Bears
Canada Perry, JoeJoe Perry RW R 27 2016 Nanaimo, British Columbia Solar Bears
Canada Pommells, SpencerSpencer Pommells LW L 26 2016 Grand Prairie, Alberta Solar Bears
Canada Sanderson, ColtynColtyn Sanderson C L 25 2016 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Solar Bears
Canada Sylvestre, SebastienSebastien Sylvestre C L 23 2016 Boucherville, Quebec Solar Bears
28 Canada Watling, PatrickPatrick Watling C L 23 2014 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Solar Bears
United States Williams, JayJay Williams G L 23 2016 Fairfax, Virginia Solar Bears

References

  1. ↑ Press release (November 16, 2011). "Orlando welcomes back the Solar Bears". ECHL. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Out of Hibernation and into the Wild". Press Release. Orlando Solar Bears. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  3. ↑ "SOLAR BEARS NAME NHL/AHL VETERAN DRAKE BEREHOWSKY AS HEAD COACH". Orlando Solar Bears. June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Berehowsky leaves Wolves for top job in Orlando". Sudbury Star. November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Maple Leafs renew ECHL affiliation with Orlando". NHL.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  6. ↑ "ANTHONY NOREEN NAMED SOLAR BEARS' HEAD COACH". ECHL. June 30, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Solar Bears Extend Affiliate Agreement with Toronto Maple Leafs". www.orlandosolarbearshockey.com. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  8. ↑ "Orlando Solar Bears Roster". Orlando Solar Bears. 2016-07-17. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
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