The Orlando Solar Bears are a professional ice hockey team to be based in Orlando, Florida. They are a member of the ECHL. They play home games at the Amway Center. On May 10, 2012, the team announced that it will be affiliated with the Minnesota Wild of the NHL and the Iowa Wild of the AHL.[1]
History[edit]
The team revived the name of the original Orlando Solar Bears, who played in the International Hockey League from 1995 to 2001.[2] 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 seventh 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 two former teams (the defunct Long Beach Ice Dogs; and the Peoria Rivermen, which moved to the AHL).
The Solar Bears utilize RDV Sportsplex Ice Den as their training facility and offices.
On June 19, 2012, the Solar Bears announced that former NHL player Drake Berehowsky will serve as the team's first head coach.[3]
The radio for Solar Bears games is streamed online through iHeart Radio on the online channel for WYGM "740 the Game".
As with all ECHL teams, video of Solar Bears games are available on America One, usually with a choice between home or away radio feeds for audio.
Current roster[edit]
Updated March 28, 2013.[4]
| # |
Nat |
Player |
Pos |
S/G |
Age |
Acquired |
Birthplace |
Contract |
| 22 |
United States ! |
Beattie, KyleKyle Beattie |
3.0 !F |
R |
22 |
2013 |
Avondale, Arizona |
Solar Bears |
| 10 |
Canada ! |
Berard, RyanRyan Berard |
3.0 !F |
R |
26 |
2013 |
Niagara Falls, Ontario |
Solar Bears |
| 26 |
United States ! |
Blair, RyanRyan Blair (A)  |
2.0 !D |
L |
27 |
2012 |
Ashburn, Virginia |
Solar Bears |
| 29 |
United States ! |
Blum, JoshJosh Blum |
1.0 !G |
L |
23 |
2013 |
Boca Raton, Florida |
Solar Bears |
| 6 |
Canada ! |
Broda, JoelJoel Broda |
6.0 !LW |
L |
23 |
2013 |
Yorkton, Saskatchewan |
Wild |
|
Canada ! |
Brodeur, MikeMike Brodeur  |
1.0 !G |
L |
30 |
2012 |
Calgary, Alberta |
Aeros |
| 24 |
United States ! |
Burnett, DerrickDerrick Burnett |
3.0 !F |
R |
26 |
2013 |
Corona, California |
Solar Bears |
|
Canada ! |
Caron, JoshJosh Caron  |
6.0 !LW |
L |
22 |
2012 |
Campbell River, British Columbia |
Wild |
| 3 |
United States ! |
Cohen, JasonJason Cohen |
2.0 !D |
R |
24 |
2013 |
Anchorage, Alaska |
Solar Bear |
| 16 |
United States ! |
Cruthers, RyanRyan Cruthers (C) |
4.0 !C |
R |
28 |
2012 |
Farmingdale, New York |
Solar Bears |
|
United States ! |
Dries, DanDan Dries  |
3.0 !F |
L |
25 |
2013 |
Lake Orion, Michigan |
Solar Bears |
| 71 |
Canada ! |
Dudas, JesseJesse Dudas |
2.0 !D |
R |
25 |
2013 |
St. Albert, Alberta |
Solar Bears |
| 21 |
Canada ! |
Fortier, OlivierOlivier Fortier |
4.0 !C |
L |
24 |
2012 |
Quebec City, Quebec |
Bulldogs |
| 11 |
Canada ! |
Goulet, AlainAlain Goulet |
2.0 !D |
L |
24 |
2013 |
Kapuskasing, Ontario |
Solar Bears |
| 7 |
United States ! |
Hartung, BrettBrett Hartung |
3.0 !F |
R |
25 |
2013 |
Tallahassee, Florida |
Solar Bears |
| 36 |
Hungary ! |
Hetenyi, ZoltanZoltan Hetenyi |
1.0 !G |
L |
25 |
2013 |
Budapest, Hungary |
Rivermen |
| 2 |
Canada ! |
Jobke, ColtonColton Jobke |
2.0 !D |
L |
21 |
2013 |
Delta, British Columbia |
Wild |
| 40 |
Canada ! |
Killeen, PatrickPatrick Killeen |
1.0 !G |
L |
23 |
2013 |
Carp, Ontario |
Penguins |
| 25 |
Canada ! |
Lawrence, ChrisChris Lawrence |
3.0 !F |
R |
26 |
2012 |
Mimico, Ontario |
Solar Bears |
| 17 |
Canada ! |
Levac, JustinJustin Levac |
7.0 !RW |
L |
24 |
2013 |
Garson, Ontario |
Solar Bears |
| 2 |
United States ! |
Lorenz, SeanSean Lorenz |
2.0 !D |
R |
23 |
2012 |
Littleton, Colorado |
Aeros |
| 4 |
Canada ! |
Mahovsky, DaleDale Mahovsky |
4.0 !C |
R |
28 |
2012 |
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta |
Solar Bears |
| 23 |
United States ! |
Marciano, JoeJoe Marciano |
2.0 !D |
R |
23 |
2013 |
Alto Loma, California |
Solar Bears |
| 9 |
Canada ! |
Martin, DerickDerick Martin (A) |
2.0 !D |
L |
31 |
2012 |
Timmins, Ontario |
Solar Bears |
| 14 |
Canada ! |
McParland, NickNick McParland |
3.0 !F |
L |
25 |
2013 |
Schreiber, Ontario |
Solar Bears |
|
United States ! |
Merriam, BryceBryce Merriam |
1.0 !G |
R |
25 |
2013 |
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania |
Solar Bears |
| 18 |
Canada ! |
Mignardi, RobRob Mignardi  |
7.0 !RW |
R |
22 |
2012 |
Richmond Hill, Ontario |
Solar Bears |
| 28 |
United States ! |
Neal, MichaelMichael Neal |
3.0 !F |
L |
24 |
2012 |
Whitby, Ontario |
Solar Bears |
| 33 |
United States ! |
Nemec, MarkMark Nemec |
2.0 !D |
R |
24 |
2013 |
Rouses Point, New York |
ATO |
| 8 |
United States ! |
Severyn, C.J.C.J. Severyn |
4.0 !C |
L |
24 |
2012 |
Beaver, Pennsylvania |
Solar Bears |
|
Canada ! |
Sisca, MatthewMatthew Sisca  |
4.0 !C |
L |
22 |
2012 |
Woodbridge, Ontario |
Solar Bears |
| 13 |
Canada ! |
Tanski, ScottScott Tanski |
3.0 !F |
R |
23 |
2012 |
Athabasca, Alberta |
Solar Bears |
References[edit]
External links[edit]
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