City Orlando, Florida Division South Arena/Stadium Amway Center Founded 2011 | Conference Eastern Home arena Amway Center Head coach Drake Berehowsky | |
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Colors Solar purple, seafoam green, sunset orange, sunrise gold, white Owner(s) Orlando Pro Hockey Operations, L.P. Location Orlando, Florida, United States Color Solar purple, seafoam green, sunset orange, sunrise gold, white Affiliates Toronto Maple Leafs (National Hockey League), Toronto Marlies (American Hockey League) Profiles | ||
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.
Contents
History
The team revived the name of the original Orlando Solar Bears, who played in the International Hockey League from 1995 to 2001. 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.
On June 19, 2012, the Solar Bears announced that former NHL player Drake Berehowsky would serve as the team's first head coach. 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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.