Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)
| Orlando Solar Bears | |
|---|---|
 2015–16 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 | Anthony Noreen |
| Media | Orlando Sentinel , WJRR, ECHL.TV, |
| Affiliates | 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]
On June 19, 2013, the Solar Bears announced that Vince Williams will 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.[4]
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.[5]
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 America One, usually with a choice between home or away radio feeds for audio.
Season-by-season results
Regular season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | OTL | SOL | Points | Goals for | Goals against | Standing | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–13 | 72 | 28 | 37 | 3 | 4 | 63 | 197 | 253 | 5th, South | 6,668 |
| 2013–14 | 72 | 43 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 91 | 225 | 219 | 2nd, South | 6,355 |
| 2014–15 | 72 | 37 | 25 | 6 | 4 | 84 | 236 | 215 | 4th, East | 6,209 |
| 2015–16 | 72 | 33 | 30 | 4 | 5 | 75 | 224 | 232 | 3rd, South | 6,226 |
Playoffs
| Season | Opening Round | Semi-Finals | Finals | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Out of playoffs | |||
| 2014 | L, 4-2, Cincinnati | - | - | 4,920 |
| 2015 | L, 4-2, Florida | - | - | 5,747 |
| 2016 | Out of playoffs | |||
Current roster
| # | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 |  |
Baier, EricEric Baier (A) | D | R | 28 | 2013 | North Kingstown, Rhode Island | Solar Bears |
| 26 |  |
Bell, ZachZach Bell | D | R | 23 | 2015 | St. John's, Newfoundland | Marlies |
| 5 | |
Bradford, ErikErik Bradford | C | L | 21 | 2015 | Orangeville, Ontario | Marlies |
| 32 | |
Clapperton, ChristopherChristopher Clapperton | LW | L | 22 | 2015 | Chandler, Quebec | Marlies |
| 27 | |
Faille, ÉricÉric Faille | RW | R | 26 | 2015 | Lachine, Quebec | Marlies |
| 9 | |
Findlay, BrettBrett Findlay | LW | L | 23 | 2014 | Echo Bay, Ontario | Marlies |
| 17 | |
Foster, T.J.T.J. Foster | C | L | 23 | 2015 | Slave Lake, Alberta | Marlies |
| 23 | |
Harvey, MylesMyles Harvey | D | L | 27 | 2015 | Montreal, Quebec | Solar Bears |
| 25 | |
Louis, MarkMark Louis | D | R | 29 | 2015 | Ponoka, Alberta | Solar Bears |
| 29 | |
Madore, RobRob Madore | G | L | 27 | 2015 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Marlies |
| 23 | |
Manderson, DenverDenver Manderson | C | R | 27 | 2014 | Fergus, Ontario | Solar Bears |
| 31 | |
Massa, RyanRyan Massa | G | L | 25 | 2015 | Littleton, Colorado | Solar Bears |
| 6 | |
McAvoy, SpencerSpencer McAvoy | D | R | 27 | 2015 | St. Albert, Alberta | Solar Bears |
| 21 | |
McInnis, JohnnyJohnny McInnis (A) | RW | L | 26 | 2015 | Boston, Massachusetts | Solar Bears |
| 4 | |
Miller, BrendenBrenden Miller | D | L | 22 | 2015 | Orangeville, Ontario | Marlies |
| 3 | |
Neilsen, CarlCarl Neilsen | D | R | 27 | 2014 | Lorain, Ohio | Solar Bears |
| 8 | |
Reid, AdamAdam Reid | LW | L | 23 | 2015 | Chino Hills, California | Solar Bears |
| 12 | |
Richard, BradBrad Richard | D | R | 27 | 2015 | New Bedford, Massachusetts | Solar Bears |
| 24 | |
Rodewald, JackJack Rodewald | RW | R | 22 | 2015 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Marlies |
| 2 | |
Rowley, JordanJordan Rowley | D | L | 26 | 2016 | Edmonton, Alberta | Solar Bears |
| 20 | |
Rupert, MattMatt Rupert | LW | L | 21 | 2015 | London, Ontario | Marlies |
| 19 | |
Sparks, LindsayLindsay Sparks | F | L | 25 | 2015 | Oakville, Ontario | Solar Bears |
| 22 | |
Vail, BradyBrady Vail | C | L | 22 | 2014 | Palm City, Florida | Marlies |
| 28 | |
Watling, PatrickPatrick Watling | C | L | 22 | 2014 | Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario | Marlies |
| Title | Staff Member | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Anthony Noreen | |||||
| Assistant Coach | John Snowden | |||||
| Athletic Trainer | John Finley | |||||
| Equipment Manager | Adam Dexter | |||||
References
- ↑ Press release (November 16, 2011). "Orlando welcomes back the Solar Bears". ECHL. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
- ↑ "Out of Hibernation and into the Wild". Press Release. Orlando Solar Bears. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
- ↑ "SOLAR BEARS NAME NHL/AHL VETERAN DRAKE BEREHOWSKY AS HEAD COACH". Orlando Solar Bears. June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
- ↑ "Maple Leafs renew ECHL affiliation with Orlando". NHL.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- ↑ "ANTHONY NOREEN NAMED SOLAR BEARS' HEAD COACH". ECHL. June 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Orlando Solar Bears Roster". Retrieved April 21, 2015.
External links
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