ECHL approves Orlando for hockey franchise
Staff reports, November 1, 2011
The ECHL’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the expansion application of Orlando for a team that will begin play in October 2012. “The level of play is absolutely incredible,” said Bob Ohrablo, chief operating officer for the Orlando ownership group and a former head of corporate sales with the NHL’s Florida Panthers. “It’s just every night they come to play. ” Ohrablo said the ownership group plans to meet with NHL franchises about affiliation agreements and plans to announce the team’s nickname and other details in about two weeks.
ARTICLES BY DATESolar Bears reach deals with 5 players, including ECHL MVP
Staff reports, June 16, 2014
The Orlando Solar Bears agreed to terms with five players Monday, including reigning ECHL MVP Mickey Lang. Lang, a forward, led the Solar Bears with 44 goals and 77 points after being acquired last season from the Fort Wayne Komets. cheap jerseys http://www.cheapjerseysfreeshipping.cc Forwards Mike Ullrich and Ian Slater also will return to Orlando next season. Ullrich produced 10 goals and 25 assists in 42 games, while Slater added four goals, 10 assists and a team high 155 penalty minutes in 51 games last season. The Solar Bears also signed forward Alex Gallant and defenseman Ben Shutron.
Echl? Of Course
May 20, 2001
In response to the question, would I still support the Solar Bears team if they joined the ECHL: Of course! Naturally we would all prefer that they stay at the IHL/AHL playing level, but the perk for the ECHL would be to travel to away games. I think that loyal hockey fans will stay loyal. I grew up with hockey, moved here and missed it. But the past few years since the Bears arrived have been a wonderful time for my family to go out together and let loose. The impact could not have been more different, though. Tuesday night’s 2 1 setback to the Cincinnati Cyclones at Amway Center, ending their first round ECHL Eastern Conference playoff series in six games, stung a lot more. “I’m proud of every single person who came through this locker room, not only on the ice but off the ice,” said Solar Bears coach Vince Williams, who plans to return with his wife to New Jersey.
As a pro hockey coach, Vince Williams is accustomed to long days, not to mention twists and turns. Just not while riding roller coasters and spending time with his family at Universal Orlando and Disney World this past weekend. “I’ve never spent so much time in theme parks until I came here,” Williams said. “It’s a lot of work when it’s packed and hot out. We had a lot of fun, though. That is what remains for the Orlando Solar Bears to make a final push for the playoffs in the ECHL’s regular season. It won’t be easy for the Solar Bears (25 27 2 3), a first year franchise that will host the Reading Royals at 7 Thursday night. A look at their prospects: Playoff position : The Solar Bears sit 12th in the 14 team Eastern Conference, nine points behind the Elmira Jackals for the eighth and final playoff berth. Undecided The division race : The Solar Bears trail the South Carolina Stingrays by four points, but they have played two fewer games.