O-Town Solar Bears Nation

2013 Wishlist

2013-03-28T00:10:00.000-04:00

So we all now have seen what hockey can be like in Orlando. We have endure a full season of the new Solar Bears and unfortunately, broke our two team streak of championship appearances in the inaugural season. We're now in the offseason, and if there's one thing people absolutely love to do, is give a laundry list of suggestions, demands, and all types of pleading and begging to have their own wants and desires. People went crazy when they announced the Turner Cup banner unveiling while they turned into rabid dogs on how the teddy bear toss was done. It's not a bad thing really, some people actually have some good ideas and want to feel they have a voice. I have been to a good number of games throughout the season and have watch some road games (online). I saw what did well, and what they can consider for the next season. Based on what I have observed, let me be one to show you my list of stuff. You can agree on all, part, or none of it at all; or, you can add to it.

Have real player intros

Though they only started doing it last week, one of the things that really bugged me was when the PA was announcing the starting lineup, yet the whole team was already out. Guess it must be habit when the PA calls a name, we instinctively look towards the tunnel to see said player. It doesn't have to be flashy like it was on the first game, but a starting lineup intro where they come out as they are called would be nice.

Casual dressed game staff

Ok, yes it is after all, a business, but do you all have to look like corporate stiffs? Shouldn't the in-game entertainment crew (WAIT! That brings me to my next suggestion...)

An in-game entertainment crew

Sure you have Shades, but you can do better, check that, Shades can do better, I'll get to that in a bit. I've noticed watching road games hype guys going around the stands and interviewing fans during puck stoppage in order to get the fans more involved, whether it's trivia, prizes, or just crowd rallying. They do have the intermission games, which is good, I'll give them that. Even if it's just one or two people, that could be your whole crew. Plus, you need someone to be Shades' voice, which brings me to...

Improving Shades

How often do you see Shades? (jumbotron sign holding doesn't count) Don't let Shades be afraid of the light, have him out more, get him involved with the game. Let him paw on the glass and "intimidate" the other team. Let him wreak havoc in the stands, s~~illy~~ ~~string~~ screw around with opposing teams' fans, steal their left shoe. Also, take that hula-hoop out of Shades, he's too fat, which contributes to the limitations of the costume. Ultimately I would bring back the old Shades that's skating around RDV, but it's embarrassing how many other ECHL mascots look better than the current Shades and are more involved in the game. I see them more watching road games online than I see Shades at the game. Shades still looks better than Greenville's mascot only because there should never be human mascots ever, but fat Shades would still not compare to the other divisional mascots unless he looks near anything like his old self. One more thing, teach Shades to skate, the one time he did he fell to his knees. (Oh, that was planned? Well he fell at the perfect time). They have a whole skating rink for him to practice, I'm sure he can use it during team practice or even during public skates. Don't you want to see him come out onto the ice waving that big flag after a Solar Bears win? So let Shades train from the best, let him watch videos of SJ Sharkie, Louie, Stanley C. Panther. Oh, they're NHL mascots? Well then, check out Marty the Marmot, he was in the ECHL a couple years ago, currently is in the WHL, and is a sick dancer. Don't lose faith in Shades.

PA/Emcee

When the season began, the PA guy was horrible, took too long for the goals and penalties; often having to correct himself. If I hadn't already knew most of the hand signals, I'll be looking around too wondering what the calls were. (Here's a list on what some of those signal look like) But as the season went on, he did get better at it. Not much more from here other than continuing familiarizing the calls and the AV people showing more replays.

Warmup Music

Simple, change it. It's normal to hear what's hot on radio, but do they really have to play Kesha, Dragonette, and Flo-Rida at a hockey game every time? Play something more in the line of what we hear in the game intro, something to pump up the team during warmups. If you really need to play that kind of music, play it during the opposing team's intro.

Better job in game updates

I'm not at every game, nor do I watch every game online, but when I do, I do my best to update what's happening as it's happening. The Solar Bears have a Twitter page exclusively for game updates, but they're not real time. Yeah, yeah, you got Bobby Steel Mill, but there have been times where 740 is broadcasting something else because the feed is out, or you're at the job and can't really have any attention-grabbing noise, that's where the Twitter feed comes in, or Facebook if you prefer. I'm sure you're already updating from a computer, if I can sort of do it from my phone, you can it better than me.

And last but not least...

I know there are people new to hockey, but this part is a little more in the common sense area. Every time the Solar Bears post a photo while on the road, you all go "ha ha, look at their empty stadium." You fail to realize that the photo was taken during WARMUPS! Although most teams don't average 6000/game, most fans don't come early enough to watch WARMUPS. Those that do, 90% are instead using that time to get food and chat with others on the concourse. I don't want us to be dubbed the Oakland Raider fans of the ECHL. Not saying we should be soft, but think before trash talking and don't be oblivious if we're losing big and keep saying the other team sucks.

I thank you for enduring my long laundry list, if you couldn't hang the whole time, you're not ready for the offseason. Whether or not we see the team take any of these measures in mind will be seen. I know I'm not the only with a laundry list, make your own here or send it straight to team management. The more they hear from the fans, the better chance they'll listen.

Let's Pack it up for Next Year

2013-03-08T13:22:00.000-05:00

The last nail seems to have been placed for Solar Bears season.

Whether you are the optimist, the pessimist, or the realist, the news coming out of Solar Bears camp is not something any fan wanted to hear. The news has only made the road even tougher, and made the playoff chances even slimmer. However, the roster moves made yesterday should be setting the groundwork for next season.

Mathew Sisca going on IR for pretty much the rest of the season severely cripples their playoff hopes. After taking a beating in the last game, the team's points leader was slow to get up. It turned out to be serious enough to warrant a trip to the IR with only 13 games left in the regular season. There is speculation that Sisca was only put on IR since playoffs became out of the question and that it would be best to let him heal through the offseason.

Another sign that the season is gone are the deadline trade made. Ryan Ginand was traded to division rival Gwinnett Gladiators. Ginand was a solid player while he was on the ice, he was able to get his shots in and made good passes to teammates. The Bears also traded away James Reid to Evansville. Reid got the short end of the stick again. It happened in when he was in Alaska and again yesterday, he got hurt and was getting outperformed by two other goaltenders. In the Ginand deal, the Bears are getting promising skaters in TBA 1, TBA 2, and TBA 3. Yes, we won't know who those three players Gwinnett will send us until after the season. As far what Evansville will give us, perhaps a "Thank You" card.

Should be Bears somehow make the playoffs, there will be no doubt that they will make it to the Kelly Cup Finals only because of how hard in road and rest of the season looks like; having to face right now playoff bound teams in 12 of the next 13 games would be the best crash course in defeating the best, but let's keep it that their road record speaks for itself. Just throwing something for the optimist fans out there. At least it really won't be a rebuilding season next year as long as the Bears are able to keep the same core of players and attract some snipers and defensive talented players. They'll have a year under their belts and will be better suited to break in the new guys to build in some early chemistry.

I Have You Now

2013-03-01T01:01:00.001-05:00

It feels like you can never figure out this team. One day, you're mad and then they slowly wave the hand around and you forget all about it. Ryan Ginand came back from Houston earlier this week, so it meant that someone had to stay dressed like a sir, that being Sgroi. "Voltron" Hetenyi once again showed us he may not stay long. It seems like he knows how to use the force to the fullest, slapping the puck 30 feet in the air or mysteriously forcing the forwards to completely miss an open shot. Plus, whenever the Solar Bears need a quick boost, he just needs to tap his stick on the ice three times and the magically play better.

Sevs had a great game, despite being crushed on the board and taking a skate blade to the face, he was still able to be the only one score the entire game. The captain was quiet in this game and the defense is slowly learning how to play defense. Guess that's what playing the trap allows: an easier way to play keep-away.

The sweaters they put on looked pretty sweet. Besides the old school ones, they may the best one they decked out all season. Seeing Darth Vader working some dark side magic in bringing Alan Bester for a cameo (not really) was pretty cool. I kind of find it sad that I saw the Star Wars characters way more often than Shades tonight, maybe that's why Darth Vader was choking him in the beginning.

If it wasn't for the fact the Voltron recorded the first shutout for the Bears in the ECHL, this game would probably have been a bit of a snoozer. Yes, there were flashes of excitement and the force wouldn't allow us to feel bored, but hey, we won, and they didn't play gangam style.

(But Seal, they did play the harlem shake)

F#@K!!!!!!

Tale of 2 Bears

2013-02-22T00:44:00.000-05:00

Yes, my blogging efforts fell of the deep end yet again. It may have had something to do with the Bears effort the past couple of weeks, plus being out of town for a bit didn't help either. But before last night's game, we were introduced to yet another new goalie in Zoltan Hetenyi.

Hetenyi made his Solar Bears debut last night and did phenomenal (now currently taking bets on his departure), stopping 35 shots. Ryan Cruthers kept his cool much better than previous games and nearly scored a hat trick. The defense tighten up as if they thought John Curry was in net, as there was still some holes that were exposed, but not exploited by Evansville, whenever I saw Tanksi and Neal play. Puck handling didn't allow the game to more dominate, despite the score.

Tonight, we saw Hetenyi follow up his performance the night before. The Solar Bears actually played better than most games, up until 15:00 left in the game. After going in the 3rd with a 2-1 lead, the Bears let two slip by and almost immediately started playing keep-away while at the same time in panic mode. Add the fact that Gwinnett played brickwall defense, and you knew that the Bears weren't going to score again. To add injury to insult, Rob Mignardi was dealt a big blow after slipping and crashing what appears is his left ankle into the boards; he may be out the rest of the season since it looked like couldn't put any weight on it as left for the locker room, but let's hope it looked worse than it is.

Passing the Torch Over

2013-02-02T12:00:00.000-05:00

Another use for a Go-Pro: banner-raising. Thanks to Yahoo Sports, Aaron Brenner and the LA Kings.

I'll just make this pretty short. Today is the day every Solar Bears fan has been anticipating since the Turner Cup was last lifted: raising the banner. Almost 12 years since the Bears clinched the Turner Cup, fans, many of whom were at that game, were left to disappointment when Rich Devos left the Solar Bears out to dry (we all have our paths).

Now, back with new ownership, one of their big promises was to honor this championship team and up to this point, they haven't disappoint. Getting the championship banner, Scott McKenzie making a cameo (thanks to the lockout, we may not get to see any of the old players), and as far as getting the actual trophy back in Orlando for one last go-around. Hopefully, this ceremony will remind the current players what wearing a Solar Bears sweater means, what the fans expect, and coming together to raise another banner.

Now, I'll end in this great video I found in reliving the 2001 Turner Cup Champions.

Wasn't That Just Darling?

2013-01-22T22:38:00.001-05:00

Flipping the bird at the refs are for sissys. How about I flip you the goal?

What crossing state lines can do for a team. Last week, many fans expressed their discontent with the way the Solar Bears were playing during their last roadie. However, there was still enough faith for fans to go out and welcome them home after being away for two weeks, and the Solar Bears did not disappoint.

The Solar Bears began the series against the Wheeling Nailers with a 7-2 Solar Bear scoring buffet where even Mike Liambas got a piece of that pie. But the funny highlight of that day was when Nailers goaltender, Scott Darling, who came in relief after starter Peter Delmas had enough of a beating, made the boneheaded decision to even come out of the net and pass the puck right into Scott Tanski. That led to Tanski skating right past Darling and score easily, despite Darling throwing his stick towards Tanski in an attempt to poke check (which would have been an automatic goal if the ref was paying attention).

The second game of the series on Saturday was much more thrilling. For once, the Solar Bears allowed it to be a defensive struggle for the Nailers. It was short jokes-target Peter Lenes who kept the Nailers with the lead for most of the game. It wasn't until Ryan Cruthers wristed it into Darling and C.J. Severyn appearing to poke the puck in the goal, although it was awarded to Cruthers, getting his 100th ECHL goal in the meantime. Darling, pissed that he didn't get the whistle he thought was coming showed his inner Hulk and flipped over the net and hit the ref. Being the Darling that he is, he was slapped with only a unsportsmanlike minor. But I guess his apology will keep him out of the suspension line, NOT!

Threw a tantrum #whoopsies #sorryref
— Scott Darling (@SDarling_33) January 20, 2013

The third game was much the second, a defensive struggle. Trailing 1-0 with just over five minutes in regulation, Ryan Cruthers comes through in the clutch inside to tie the game at 1-1, ultimately leading to a shootout. After the first three rouonds came up empty for both teams, Micheal Neal lasers one past Delmas and goalie John Curry finish the rest, stopping the last two shots for the Nailers.

Takaways

Swept a weekend series
Got out of the ECHL basement for now
Defensive improvements
Rob Mignardi and Josh Caron are back for now

Opportunities

Don't shift defensive woes into offensive woes
Hannu Toivonen had already played his last game for the Solar Bears
Keep Curry healthy, cause if not, someone who allowed 4.88 GAA in the FHL will have to be trusted in net-minding.
Mike Brodeur is still not ready

Meet your new Solar Bears

2013-01-17T16:55:00.001-05:00

X-marked players that are currently not playing in Orlando: (from left to right) Brooks Ostergard (released), Josh Caron (callup), Corbin Baldwin (injury), Kyle Medvec (callup), Alexandre Imbeault (traded), Rob Mignardi (callup), Micheal Wilson (on loan), and Nick Petersen (callup)

That lineup looks mighty different than the one we'll see tonight against Wheeling. It happens, and it's going to keep happening. However, it felt like a new world order took place when the NHL lockout ended and players on minor league teams immediately went back. Ryan Reaves went back to Louie's ice den, and B.J. Crombeen who was a Solar Bear for a weekend, can go back to the Ice Palace in which he came from. He's a list of players that the Solar Bears received since the lockout ended on January 5th:

Mike Sgroi

Jesse Dudas

Alain Goulet

~~F Jonathan Julianao~~
~~C Lee McClure~~
C Darick Ste-Marie
F Spencer Bennett
D Jesse Dudas
~~D Mike Kavanagh~~
D Alain Goulet
F Mike Sgroi
D Nicholas Kuqali

You could've fielded a whole new team. If you didn't think this wasn't going to happen after the NHL lockout, you should've. Julianao and McClure were just bench fillers and were released shortly after their signings. Kavanagh was traded to Cincinnati. Goulet was Mr. Considerations from the Imbeault trade to Alaska. Sgroi comes back to hockey after playing for the Evansville IceMen last season, being brought in as another enforcer, hopefully providing a spark when needed with a good fight.

Expect to never see the likes of Petersen, Medvec, the rest of the Aeros callups, and Fortier in a Solar Bears sweater again this season, but it won't hurt to have them. Wilson and Bryce Lampman may come back. But now, we have a new team, and give a warm welcome as none of these new players have played on our home ice yet. Hopefully, these players will provide a little stability and can help us get out the ECHL basement in the standings.

How the Solar Bears should treat 2013

2013-01-02T00:13:00.000-05:00

The Solar Bears are back (obviously). We had ups, we had downs while players had call ups and send downs, sometimes in the same day, just ask Nick Petersen. While it looked as if the season were to just sink into the bottom of the well for all of eternity, there was nothing like some good ole gator wrestling to spark life into each player and fan, solidified by Dan Gendur's hat-less hat trick. (I know, I know, now you know for next time). However, it's a new year and we still have three months of games left before playoffs begin, should the Solar Bears have a chance to make the playoffs, let alone, make a run, here are some things I believe could benefit those chances. Some are more obvious than others, some are more practical than others, some are more comical than others.

Play well with other goaltenders as they do with Curry.

Although he's an okay goalie, I am not on the John Curry bandwagon like most Solar Bear fans. It seems that any game he plays has the potential to be a diaster, luckily it has been kept to a minimal and wasn't his fault when disaster struck. But as of late, whenever Curry is in the net, the defense would actually pick up those sticks and play hockey. In the last 10 games in which Curry was playing, the defense kept the shots under 30 six times and has never had to deal with 40 or more shots this season, while in the 10 games Hannu Toivonen or Darcy Kuemper started, the defense only managed to keep it under 30 twice, including three games in which 40 or more shots were allowed. Key reason, the defense tends to be absent-minded of rebound shots when Hannu or Kuemps guarding net when those same shots are immediately taken by a Bears player. Higher shots, usually tend to mean more goals, usually. Curry won't be playing every game. You'll see Hannu again, you'll definitely see Kuemps again, and when he finally clears his head after being left out the family reunion yet again, you'll see Mike Broduer (Oh, don't give me that look).

Have the leaders leading

Ryan Cruthers showed us last Friday what a leader was supposed to do, bring out the beast (not a typo) in his teammates while taking no prisoners. It needs to happen more often, not necessarily needing to fight anybody, but always having high energy and pump up your teammates on the ice. Coach Drake Berehowsky may have sent a message to the team by shipping Kevin Baker out about a month ago that other than a text from Houston Aeros GM Jim Mill, if you're not showing example as a veteran, you're outta here.

More Shades!

From Louie's Facebook page

Well how does that help? On the road, not a lot. But at home, where the crowd averages 6,528, it can make a huge difference. You've heard me preach on how Shades is the legend of the Solar Bears and that he is almost nonexistent during the games. Instead of holding up signs from an offshore location for the jumbotron, how about being near the glass towards the end of a close game and lead the home crowd thunder, or coming onto the ice after a Solar Bears win waving a huge "Solar Bears WIN!" sign, I do give him credit with him showing off his duggie skill. I know I'm not the only one who likes to compare Shades to Louie.

Most importantly, play alongside each other.

One player can spark something within the team, but his teammates have to have the fuel to respond, whether it's for the receiving end of a fancy pass, screening the opposing goalie so he can't see the release, or being ready to defend your teammate when the opposing team gets a cheap shot.


Gendur did it Friday, Petersen did it before who's next?

The Bears currently sit two points off the final playoff spot. We won't be able to see them in person here with basketball and the circus in town (which I thought were one in the same) until January 17th. Being outside of Florida hasn't been kind to them, so it will be interesting to see if they can keep it together. When they do come back, and when you see coach Berehowksy make this call for one player, you can rest assure that you will not be banned for throwing a hat on a hat trick.

Would this Solar Bear Please Step Up? I

2012-12-06T00:41:00.000-05:00

Don't just look at it Nick go get it!

Hmm, I've been gone awhile haven't I? Guess with preparations a college student makes to get in those big group projects, 10-page papers, and final exams that were assigned the beginning of the semester; add that with the line of work I am in, helping you adjust to shopping on Thanksgiving instead of Black Friday and shifting my focus of Solar Bear writing to my second gig, Hockey Wilderness (Check it out, it's fascinating, we have wars and stuff amongst ourselves) you can see some cobwebs forming on this site. But now, with a only couple more classes left for finals, and that I'll celebrate breaking my record for years lived yet again on Saturday, here's how my hometown team can blow out my candle for not only that day, but for the rest of the season.

To sum up what I've been posting here, Hockey Wilderness, and tweets I've made this past month is: November sucked! The Solar Bears went 5-8-1 in that month, averaging only two goals while allowing 2.67 GAA, having two separate losing streaks of at least three games, including losing all six meetings with division rival Gwinnett. Why was November such a terrible month for the Solar Bears? Was it the coaching staff? No. Was it the schedule of playing on consecutive nights or 3 out of 4 nighters? Every team has to deal with that, so no. Was it the constant carousel of players coming in and out? Maybe, but no. What's been the common denominator in just about every game so far is lack of players wanting to take the shot. I see it, you see it, opponents see it and feast on it. So what I will do is name three, maybe four players that need to perhaps start using the clutch. They'll each get their own article leading to Friday's game against Ft. Wayne.

Nick Petersen

Where have I heard that name before? Oh yeah, first goal in team history, first player to be recalled, named player of the month, scoring leader of October. Yes, Nick Petersen started on fire, but guess once he was originally called up to Houston, that fire went out almost instantly. On October 27th, Petersen was recalled to the Houston Aeros just to be a body on the bench. Hours later, he was returned to the Solar Bears in time to play against Greenville the very next day. Before then, Petersen had a total of 12 points in 5 games, consisting of 6 goals and 6 assists with 21 shots, including a hat trick. Petersen has only managed to tally 3 goals, 6 assists and has only taken 9 shots in the 14 games he has played in since then. This one is pretty obvious on what needs to be done to correct this problem. Petersen needs to go back to the sniper he was during those 5 games, trying to go on the wraparound or trying to skate through the narrowest of slots is not going to do the offense any good. He needs to finds his spot and be prepare to have the puck come to him ready to yell out "SLAPSHOT BEEOTCH!" Then, and only then will Bob Mills stop saying "this Solar Bear offense could go off at any time now," to "this Solar Bear offense has just exploded with Nick Petersen getting the hat trick." So, I leave for now ~~to work on Part 2~~ with this:

Would Nick Petersen please step up?

Must be the Coffee: Part 2 - We're Out Already?

2012-11-21T15:46:00.000-05:00

(Didn't read Part 1? Just scroll down or click here)

What did I see? What did you see?

Did you see the aggressive team that played against the same team Saturday?

Did you see a team that brought out the and grit of every teammate to fight to the end?

Did you see the intensity by the team to energize each other and the fans?

Did you see the hustle going back and forth on the ice?

Did you see a team that Drake Berehowsky, would be proud of?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, you clearly didn't see the same game I saw.

A team, who on Saturday, went from nothing but hustle, played a game that was anything but hustle. Many fans noticed, and they made sure that this team knew it. I understand that not every possession is to set up a slapshot, but going around in circles, always making passing the puck like a game of hot potato doesn't set you up for anything but a turnover. I get it, teams have bad days, goalies get (shudder) cold streaks, and the other team used the past two games as motivation and laid a powerful offensive on this team.

If this team is to become successful and live up to the legacy that the name on the front of their sweaters hold, then they got to use games like Tuesday night, and make it their rock bottom. They got to go and find a way to instill mental toughness that lasts not 20 minutes, but 60. They need to rectify the flaws that have been killing them all season now that other teams know how to capitalize on that flaw, and capitalize big on it. They need to do this now. The next weeks will be on the road, one against the league's best record, and the other against the defending Western Conference champions and then to California.

"We want to win now!" The management does, Coach Berehowsky does, I'm pretty sure the players do. Now to show it on the ice, then we can all be thankful to have team we can support and not let us down like that again.

Must be the Coffee: Part 1

2012-11-20T23:09:00.000-05:00

(Note: I did type this up before Tuesday's pitiful game, Part 2 of this will be up later.)

What a difference a few days off from constant games does to a team. After going 2-4-1-0 in the month of November before this past Saturday, the Solar Bears came out with the intensity and fire that fans have been waiting to see since the home opener.

In Saturday's game, the Solar Bears came out swinging against Kalamazoo, converting two power plays into goals and out-shooting the Wings 42-27. The team as a whole was very intense and continuously put pressure on Kalamazoo. Olivier Fortier scored two goals and almost got the hat trick, but that goal was waved off. The Solar Bears ended up winning 4-2.

Sunday was a bit more of a conservative game play than that of Saturday, despite still making 36 shots. John Curry was given the day off, so Hannu Toivonen was given the nod to start in the net. Toivonen impressed many in his first start with 38 saves, including some that came off rebounds and high pucks. Olivier Fortier followed up his two-goal game with another one, scoring one off a pass from Tanski and another one with the puck slowly sliding between the goalie's legs. The Solar Bears took their second straight from the Wings 2-1.

Last week, the Solar Bears signed current Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman, B.J. Crombeen, although he didn't make as big a splash as fan hoped, Crombeen still tallied 11 shots and 2 PIM in his two games with the Solar Bears. But with the return of Nick Petersen and Ryan Ginand, Crombeen, along with USAF hero Derrick Burnett and local celebrity Edward Levens were cut for now. Crombeen may return if the Houston Aeros need a call up (acutally, WHEN) while Levens and Burnett could be brought back to cover injuries.

To all the fans out there who may be wondering, a team official told me that yes, you can indeed, throw your hat onto the ice should a Solar Bear get a hat trick and not get thrown out.

Road Trip Recall

2012-11-06T16:24:00.004-05:00

This past week lead to a visit to the remaining venues the Solar Bears had yet to visit. Starting in South Carolina, Gwinnett, Greenville, then back to South Carolina. It felt like the Solar Bears were taken away from us again with how long it's been since their last home, but it's going to be like that a lot so don't panic. In case you couldn't listen in or watch the games, well here it goes: the good news, they were able to win two out of the four games they played last week. The bad news, the two games that they lost, they got beat pretty bad and the two games they did won, both went past regulation and were not pretty.

I could give you a recap of those four games, but you can read that up anywhere. In those four games, in fact, in just about all the games this season, was one common flaw that could be seen by most with even the slightest amount knowledge of hockey. Although I have already mentioned this, I will repeat it again. The Solar Bears need to get better in offensive transitions. If you were able to see any of the those four games, you would know how badly it hurt to see how many times the Solar Bears turned it over in their own zone or allowed the other team to get the rebound. I noticed that the players seem to want to make the fanciest or the fastest pass, which the opponent intercepts it or gets it off a loose puck because the guy can't handle the hard pass. Three goals on Thursday, two on Friday, and one on Saturday came from rebounded shots or possessions where they gave it up in transition.

The offense isn't bad at all, when there is a breakaway, as rare as one is, they're great moving with the puck and they create their own shots and get good looks. In all four games last week, the Solar Bears lead in shots on goal. Only difference is the other team doesn't let them get another chance until they get theirs. With the Bears, it's "stop the possession, but let's give you two or three more chances." No matter how good you think John Curry is or how bad you think Mike Brodeur is, they can't make them work as hard as they are so far this season.

Another glaring issue now our defensive depth chart. Unfortunately, our rival-turned-friends up in the AHL have had some injuries to their roster. Mikael Granlund, Jonas Brodin, and Jason Zucker were all out with injuries. Although Zucker is back, the Houston Aeros have called up defenseman Corbin Baldwin to fill in the gap. To make matters worse, Kyle Medvec is also hurt. Though the Solar Bears acquired Mike Liambas last week, they are still need of defensemen to give the other guys a breather.

This week, the Solar Bears will play four games in six days, though this time on home ice. Also, get used to the goalie rotation, every team in the ECHL does it. And in case you haven't heard, per Micheal Russo, Corbin Baldwin is NOT a goon, that's Josh Caron. It sucks since neither have impressed us with their fighting skills so far (see Wednesday Videos)

Wednesday Videos

2012-10-31T13:10:00.000-04:00

To take a page out of a fellow blog, for today, I thought I'd show you a couple videos of the Solar Bears. First one is a video I took of Corbin Baldwin and Greenville's Steven Delisle dropping gloves and getting at it. Unfortunately, Baldwin wasn't up for the task and just up and showed the "eh, whatever" at the end.

Second video, not of a fight, but if you missed Opening Night because you waited too long to get tickets, here's Doc's voice over recalling the story of the Solar Bears.

The Trick was getting the Hat...Or the Puck.

2012-10-30T15:15:00.000-04:00

Don't know if video replay was too bright or memory replay looked so much better since he envisioned hats be thrown for Nick Petersen after recording the Solar Bears first ever hat trick in the ECHL.

A moment everyone who has ever played the game of hockey dreams of short of lifting the Cup is scoring a hat trick. To those who never took hockey 101, a hat trick is when a player scores 3 goals in a single game. GOALS, not points, an assist counts as point. It is also customary to throw your hat into the ice when that magic third goal is scored. I guess none of us wanted to be the lone guy to get thrown out. Anyway, that is what Nick Petersen did on Thursday night as the Solar Bear beat the South Carolina Stingrays 5-3. With that game, he becomes the ECHL scoring leader with 6 goals.

The game on Thursday had a blazing fast start for the Solar Bears as they score two quick power play goals by Ryan Cruthers and Olivier Fortier. Nick Petersen tacked on a goal in each of the three periods. South Carolina crept back in a couple times, but Petersen was just too much. The win also got them in sole possession of first place in the South Division. Power play once again, was a key factor on the Solar Bears scoring.

On Saturday, Petersen was called up by Houston to suit up for the Aeros for that night's game. He did not play and was assigned back to Orlando hours before Sunday's game.

The game on Sunday, well not so much the same happy rainbow sunshine game, but more of a "what the hell?" Let me just reiterate something before I go all defense, Coach Drake Berehowsky has been quoted that he would like to rotate both John Curry and Mike Brodeur in the net to keep each other fresh. On Sunday, Berehowsky did just that, he gave Curry the day off to get some playing time for Brodeur. Brodeur seem to look ready during warmups, instead he showed his rust. Having not played since the Calder Cup playoffs with the Houston Aeros and coming off a jaw injury from Aeros camp, quickly let two goals slip by him in the first period. As rusty as Brodeur was on Sunday, so were the Solar Bears. From what I have noticed, the Solar Bears seem to get progressively worse when it comes transitioning from defense to offense. The defense would get a stop on Greenville, however, they would immediately turn it over, which added more pressure to Brodeur, as did Curry on Thursday. If it weren't for the power plays, this would not have even been a game. This showed greatly with the Road Warriors were able to squeak a goal in the final 11 seconds of regulation after stopping the puck, but turned it over to allow the easy goal to send it into overtime. The game later went to a shootout. There, it was all Greenville, sweeping the Solar Bears 3-0 after Lieuwen stopped all three Solar Bears shots.

So as the Solar Bears take on the Stingrays tonight on the road, we can only hope and see how the team corrects that problem, because no matter who's guarding the net (give Brodeur some time before making final conculsions, because I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought Curry would be bad coming into the season) you won't win a lot of games relying on power plays alone.

Mike Brodeur should only get a small amount of blame. If the Solar Bears keep giving up the puck like they are, you can have Patrick Roy or Dominik Hasek during their primes in the net and it still wouldn't be enough.

An A** Beating Followed by an Emotional Homecoming

2012-10-21T16:07:00.001-04:00

Last week, it seem to be all about the Everblades, raising their first Kelly Cup banner, the loud fans, quick scoring, and even some sponsor marketing genius in the form of having the boards on visiting bench create the illusion that visiting teams have lady legs.

I was already hearing the taunting; "See, that's why we're better." "It's going to be a long season for y'all." "This ain't the IHL no more." Yeah, I heard that one too. Logic is not usually included in taunting.

Friday was supposed to be another day all about the Everblades, as they retired longtime player, Ernie Hartlieb's jersey, but that was quickly short-lived. The Solar Bears quickly stun the crowd at Germain Arena by going up 4-0 in the first period. The pounding got more intense as Kyle Medvec's goal forced the Everblades to pull Kelly Cup MVP John Muse from the net in favor of Pat Nagle. Nagle was also not immune to the beating as Nick Pertesen gets one behind the net and Ryan Cruthers scores 2 to make it 8-0. After two goals for the Everblades in the third, the Solar Bears ended the beating and earned their first ever win in ECHL 8-2 and getting a huge advantage on shots on goal, 49-22.

Saturday brought not only the rivalry, but also hockey itself back to Orlando. There was a large crowd gathered around the Amway Center as folks were lining up to get inside to witness history. In a sellout crowd of over 9,000 (Yes, upper bowl was closed, sellout more games and you might see it.) The opening video was pretty cool, which featured Doc Emrick retelling the history of the new and original Solar Bears with the timeline of events. It was really nice seeing Solar Bear lifer Todd Richards being part of the ceremonial puck drop, though I thought they should've let him do more than just stand there, like a quick speech or something.

With the game underway, the first period saw a back and forth competition between the two as Brad MacLean and Matt Beca scored for the Everblades while Matt Sisca and Micheal Wilson scored for the Solar Bears. After a quick score by Simon Danis-Pepin to put the Solar Bears up 3-2, goaltender John Curry was busy saving all the shots he could as throughout the rest of regulation, the Solar Bears offense could not get going. It seem that as soon as the defense successfully defended a possession, they gave right back, many times, within their own zone. Eventually, the game-tying goal slipped in the net by Beca's second goal of the night. After a defensive overtime period, the game went to shootout, which proved to be a goaltender's duel between Curry and Pat Nagle. After Medvec scores for the Solar Bears, Alex Hutchings answers right back. It wasn't until Sean Lorenz puts in the deciding goal as well by an incredible save by Curry on Aaron Bogosian's shot to win the game.

The win puts the Solar Bears tie for 1st in the division and will take a break from the Everblades and face another tough division rival, South Carolina Thursday at home. With Ian Watters, Kevin Baker and Mike Broduer still out, you will see this lineup continue to build great chemistry in time for their returns.

OPENING NIGHT!

2012-10-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

May 27, 2001

You should know what that day meant if you ever bled purple and teal. Until today, it was a bittersweet day.

A day for celebration, but a day for mourning.

A day of joy, but a day of sadness.

A day on the top, the crushed to the bottom.

Tonight, all the sadness, all the emptiness, all the agony we all felt when the Solar Bears were taken away from us are all gone.

You read the news about a group wanting to bring hockey back to Orlando.

You saw the press conference announcing the revival of the Solar Bears.

You saw the team sign player after player to form a core ready to get a championship now, and we still couldn't believe it.

Tonight, we can all see before our eyes, and witness the rebirth of something great.

Tonight, we can pick up where we left off, and bring our thunderous roar into the arena.

Tonight, when that clock up top hits zero, we show why hockey belongs in Orlando.

Thursday Previews

2012-10-18T15:41:00.000-04:00

We are just over 48 hours away from hosting the first Solar Bear game in a very very long time. Before we get what we should expect for the next couple of days, let's turn back the clock a little bit and see how they did in their first two regular season games:

Orlando came just short of playing spoiler to the Florida Everblades as they fell to them 5-4 in an overtime thriller. Orlando, trailing 4-1 with 4:24 remaining in the 3rd period, went on fire with goals by Ryan Cruthers and Scott Tanski to cut the lead to 1. Then, with 31 seconds left, Mathew Sisca, fresh off the penalty box, score the equalizer to send it into overtime. However, Everblades C David Rutherford scores the quick clincher in overtime to give the 'Blades the win on their home ice in which they celebrated their Kelly Cup banner-raising ceremony. Despite the high score, goaltending was key, with Solar Bears G John Curry only saving 27 of 32 shots, and Florida G John Muse saving 43 of 47 shots. Also, power play again was the Solar Bears strong point, capitalizing on 2 of 4 PP opportunities as well as a short handed goal.

Saturday was a bit closer game throughout, but ended the same in the form of a loss, 4-2. Florida once again, came out quick to score in the 1st period. In the 3rd, with 7:09 remaining, Ryan Cruthers scores his second goal of the season to cut the lead to 1. Unfortunately, a second comeback attempt fell short again as the 'Blades score on an empty netter to seal the game away.

Despite being 0-1-1, the Solar Bears should keep their heads held high as they were able to keep their own against the defending champions on their ice. With this being their first full week together as a team, the chemistry is coming and its showing and they hope to bring that out when they play their first game at the Amway Center on Saturday. (It'll help if they were to win tomorrow and carry that momentum into the home ice.)

On Wednesday, Cruthers was named Captain of the squad with both Kevin Baker and Derick Martin being named as Alternate Captains. Cruthers is no stranger to wearing the "C" on his sweater, having served the role before with the Reading Royals. All three are no surprise as they bring the most experience to this mostly young squad. It will be their leadership that will help build these players up and create the team that will win a championship.

As we head into Saturday, doors will open at 6pm, but be there a bit earlier as there should a couple activities outside the arena beforehand and there's a few spots who's happy hours will entice some for pregame. In case you haven't hear yet, Doc Emrick and Solar Bear lifer Todd Richards will play a role in pregame festivities and help finally launch the Solar Bears back into Orlando ice.

BE THERE SATURDAY!

PS: You can now follow O-Town Solar Bears Nation on Twitter @OTownSolarBears

Training Camp & Preseason Recap

2012-10-07T16:21:00.000-04:00

Yes folks, the Solar Bears begin the regular season this Friday! Not a year from Friday! Not a month from Friday! Not even next Friday! THIS FRIDAY!

I'm still not believing it, but hockey is back, and so are the Solar Bears. There were some great things during this past week and not-so-great things, including the difficult cuts and how some of it may be blamed on the NHL lockout.

Training Camp

Fortunately, practices were open to the public, so I took advantage and headed out to the RDV Ice Den so see how the team looks in their first week together. I attended the first and third day of practices.

The first day was your usual getting back in the groove day. Almost none of the players there have ever played with each other on the same team, so that made them look more rusty than they should. There were a couple scuffles between teammates, one with Brad Good and Brad Townsend and another with Brett Lyon and Ryan Blair.

By the third day, the teams have been split squads and were practicing at different times, with a squad consisting of players more than likely already making the team and those who the coaches still want to keep a close eye on, at least from my observation. Overall, the team has done well in building chemistry despite knowing each other for only three days on the ice. The three players that stood out pretty well during camp were Samson Mahbod, Matthew Panzo and Ian Watters. Mahbod had shown that he can handle the puck and was able to find the net pretty frequently during camp. Panzo never gave up, always fought hard for the puck and made sure no one took it from him. Watters is a guy I could see being the Steve Nash of hockey, always getting the right pass over to the other forwards to get to the back of the net.

Preseason

Even though I only attended Friday's game, it was still pretty clear which players should've made the team. Despite what you saw on the scoreboard, the Solar Bears did a good job against a team with an established chemistry, more seasoned, and most of who last played in Game 5 of the Kelly Cup Finals. Also keep in mind that our presumptive starters (Cruthers and Baker) were inactive for both games. In both games, the Solar Bears were able to get a good amount of shots on goal, totaling 56 shots. Though they couldn't capitalize on Saturday, the Solar Bears were able to score two power play goals on Friday's game.

Final Recap and Roster Moves

Sunday was a heart breaker for 13 players, including both of our local guys. Unfortunately, since the NHL is still locked out, many of the young Minnesota players, 25, including highly touted prospects Mikael Grunlund and Charlie Coyle were assigned to the Houston Aeros. This caused the trickle down effect and caused the Aeros to bring five more players to the Solar Bears, and with reports pointing to Aeros G Mike Brodeur joining in, it was no wonder why camp prospect like Panzo, Mahbod and Brad Good who showed a lot of promise were cut. As coach Drake Berehowsky put it, "It's simply a numbers game." If and when the lockout ends, and all the players are called back up to their respective teams, those three players should be the first ones on Berehowsky's speed dial that get a spot back on the team.

Solar Bears Announce Training Camp Schedule and Roster

2012-09-28T19:33:00.000-04:00

It's getting closer, so much closer that I can't seem to scratch that itch hard enough. With the preseason beginning next week, yes I said NEXT WEEK, Coach Drake Berehowsky and the Solar Bears are getting ready to prepare for their inaugural season as they will report to camp starting tomorrow. If you guys want to get your first glimpses of our new team, the Solar Bears were kind enough to open up practices to the public beginning October 1st. Here is the schedule of practices and preseason games from now til the regular season opener at Estero:

(All practices will be held at the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den during Training Camp. Schedule subject to change.)

Sept. 29 - Players report/Coach Berehowsky and 6 players volunteers with 'Feeding Children Everywhere' from 10:00-11:15am

Sept. 30 - Player physicals

Oct. 1 - Practice 9am-12pm
Oct. 2 - Practice 9am-12pm
Oct. 3 - Practice 10am-12pm
Oct. 4 - Practice 10am-12pm
Oct. 5 - Preseason Game @ Florida Everblades 7:30pm
Oct. 6 - Preseason Game @ Florida Everblades 7pm
Oct. 7 - Day Off
Oct. 8 - Practice 10am-12pm
Oct. 9 - Practice 10am-12pm
Oct. 10 - Practice 10am-12pm
Oct. 11 - Practice 10am-12pm
Oct. 12 - Regular Season Opener @ Florida Everblades 7:30pm

And here are the players that will be participating in Training Camp:

Forwards	Defensemen	Goaltenders
Kevin Baker	Ryan Blair	Drew Palmisano
Thomas Beauegard	Simon Danis-Pepin	Brooks Ostergard
Derrick Burnett	Brad Good
Ryan Cruthers	Michael Jordan
Ron Cramer	Edward Levens
T.J. Fox	Derick Martin
Alexandre Imbeault	Michael Wilson
Gary Klapkowski	Ben Woodley
Jordan Lane
David Lun
Brett Lyon
Samson Mahbod
Mathieu Melanson
Matthew Panzo
Darick Ste-Marie
Brad Townsend
Ian Watters

Yes, you read correctly, Micheal Jordan is, in fact, a Solar Bear! Will he be as good in hockey as another athlete by the same name was in basketball? You can go see for yourself if you attend any of the practices. Also, be sure to show your support to our local players, Matthew Panzo and Edward Levens, who were invited to camp during the open tryouts held back in August

NHL Lockout Survival Guide: Orlando Solar Bears Edition

2012-09-20T00:47:00.000-04:00

Note: This article is in response to a Florida Everblades version (viewer discretion is advised)

So I pretty sure every Florida hockey fan woke up this past Sunday morning and found that there was a big, fat padlock around your favorite NHL team. For most of you who live outside Orlando and Estero, the first thing you did was have a nervous breakdown and flooded you Facebook and Twitter accounts about how bulls%*t it is that there will be no hockey and are ready to break out your Gary Bettman voodoo doll and started poking away.

However, not all is lost, there will still be hockey in the form of the ECHL. For those in Sunrise and Tampa, it will be a bit of a drive, but hey, we made the drive over there to catch your games, the least you can do is return the favor. Now the question is this, do you take I-75 and go to the Everblades when the fans there are nice and friendly, or take I-4 (Florida Turnpike if you're in Sunrise) and see what made the Solar Bears fans one of the sports rowdiest.

Okay, so you've decided to pick the greater of two goods. Brighter lights, nicer stadium, better team history and tradition. Let me point out that Orlando hockey has a history of winning right out the gate. Just like a fellow blogger, I could be leaning towards my hometown team.

The Basics:

The Orlando Solar Bears that will begin play this October are the reincarnation of the team that played in the IHL from 1995-2001. The new team will be playing in one the nicest arenas in the world and will be the first Orlando pro hockey team to play in Orlando since 2004. Sure, some think our colors may not scream "manly toughness" but our play on the ice sure as hell will.

Notable Players/Coaches:

Mark Beaufait, RW (Solar Bear Lifer)
Allen Bester, G (1995-1998)
Craig Fisher, LW (1995-1996)
Bob Joyce, LW (1995-1997)
Norm Maracle, G (2000-2001)
Todd Richards, D (Solar Bear Lifer)
Dan Synder, C (1999-2001) *Lifer in Spirit
Brad Tapper, RW (2000-2001) *Yes Blades fans, he's actually one of us
Ryan Cruthers, RW (2012-Present) *1st player of the new Solar Bears
Curt Fraser, Coach (1995-1999)
Peter Horachek, Coach (1999-2001)
Drake Berehowsky, Coach (2012-Present)

How To Get There and Whatnot...

The shortest way to get there is to take exit 82B from I-4 onto South Street and turn left at the very first light. That will take to the main parking garage. You can't miss that awesome spire that will glow purple and teal on game nights. Looking at the team website, parking at the garage right across the street will be $15 while the garages and lots around the arena will be around $10. Here is a map of the projected parking layout during Solar Bear games. The only real neat thing about parking at that garage next to the arena is that from the fifth floor, you can enter directly into the arena.

There will of course be concessions and drinks around the arena, but there is a restaurant as well, Jernigan's Restaurant if you want to sit down and eat before the game.

Of course, there is Church Street. So many bars and restaurants in one small area you won't know what to do. Just be sure to hang out there AFTER the game.

Too tired to wasted to drive back? It's Orlando, there's bound to be a hotel on any given street corner.

There's this other team that plays in the Amway Center also, oh yeah, the Orlando Predators of the AFL, but there seems to be another hmmm... I remember now, it was actually a soap opera that took place in that arena about a whiny star's quest to be with others like him. So glad that ended a couple months ago.

Now Here's Some Things That Were Done in Old Solar Bears Games that I Hope Will Carry Over And Other Stuff You Should Know:

Whenever an opposing player leaves the penalty box everyone would scream "AND THEY STILL SUCK!"

Whenever the Solar Bears got a power the "JAWS" theme starts playing.

Players and coaches were always down to earth. Drake and a few players have already shown this trait, so as long as you don't badger them, you can have a conversation with them.

At first glance, it may look like you could get lost pretty easily, but don't worry, the best way to get around is to just go up the escalator and find your section.

If you remember the old Amway Arena, those seats were mad tight, even those that put on skinny jeans. That is no longer the problem, seats are much more comfortable with the first few rows on the sides having leather.

This is Shades, our mascot. He was always the first that came into mind when talking about the Solar Bears. You would always see him just goofing around and used to throw shoes around. Although his midsection has gotten bigger after 10 years, his popularity sure hasn't diminished.

Most importantly, know your division rivals, we'll be playing them plenty throughout the season: Greenville, Gwinnett, Florida, and South Carolina. Take special note to the Everblades, not only are they the other team in Florida, they are coming off a Kelly Cup victory, so their heads and egos will be a little overinflated. There is also the Cincinnati Cyclones, which is also a reincarnation of an IHL team that the Solar Bears will play this season.

If there's anything I left out Solar Bears fans, let me know in the comments section.

I hope this tidbit has shed some light on what to expect on your new fan hood for the Solar Bears. I do extend a special invite to Stanley C. Panther, who has been hurt most by this lockout. Opening Night is around the corner, so put that Gary Bettman voodoo doll down and take the time to familiarize yourself with this fine organization and its traditions, because your first test is on October 20th at 7pm.

More Signings and Other News

2012-09-12T23:45:00.002-04:00

That ice is starting to come together very nicely. Photo from Orlando Solar Bears Facebook.

The Solar Bears during the last few days have added F Thomas Beauregard and D Derick Martin to their already seemingly strong and seasoned lineup. Beauregard has Kelly Cup championship experience with the Cincinnati Cyclones back in 2008 and has also spent time with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Springfield Falcons of the AHL. "Thomas is a very good two-way forward," said Coach Drake Berehowsky. "He can put up very good numbers on the offensive end and is good in his own zone."

Martin is entering his seventh year in the ECHL. He is no stranger to Berehowsky as he played for the Peoria Rivermen during Berehowsky's tenure as an assistant. Last season with the Utah Grizzlies, Martin notched 1 goal and 11 assists in 64 appearances, not numbers a defenseman should care much about, but Berehowsky knows that his experience will be crucial in mentoring this new team.

The Solar Bears and the NHL Lockout

A lot of people are wondering with the impending NHL lockout slated to begin after the current CBA expires this Saturday, September 15, how this will affect the Solar Bear's season. This two word answer should be engraved in your heads: IT'S NOT! That's right, under no circumstances is the season in any jeopardy with what is going on in the NHL this season. The ECHL has a separate CBA in which those player contracts are incoherent with the NHL. The most that could happen that involves the Solar Bears is that some players may be assigned here from the Houston Aeros to make way for possible player assignments from the Minnesota Wild. So if anything happens involving player assignments, it will happen by the end of Saturday as NHL teams will no longer be allowed to make contact with their players until a new CBA can be reached. Here's a little info of a few types of hockey contracts to somewhat clarify.

-Just a quick note, for those interested in trying out for the Solar Bears Dance Team, the organization has posted the information on their website with the audition date and how to preregister.

So please, don't worry about anything. There will be hockey in Orlando again. To those who still aren't sure,

THERE WILL STILL BE HOCKEY IN ORLANDO AGAIN!

So everyone, keep spreading the word, keep the hype up, and do everything you can to enure we have a packed house. Don't forget to bring some type of sweets for Allan Bester.

How could the caterer forget to bring a dessert table for Allan Bester. Original photo from James Tutten of http://jamestutten.blogspot.com/

Taco, Wings, and Hockey Newsroom Tuesday!

2012-09-04T21:39:00.011-04:00

Shades basking in the sun as usual. He seems to like tacos and wings also. Photo by Orlando Solar Bears.

I bet you guys are now hungry, huh? Whether it's one, two, or all three of the above, we are ONE MONTH away from the Solar Bears taking the ice once again. With the season that near now, the team has had much to spread to the world:

The Solar Bears held their open tryout last Tuesday:

34 aspiring players worked out last week with Coach Berehowsky at the RDV ice den vying to be invited to training camp that will begin September 29. There was surprisingly much more coverage on it than expected, especially from WESH Channel 2's David Pingalore who even took one up on the rest of the local TV news and newspaper by actually participating in the tryouts and airing a two-part sports segment about his experience. Not a fan of Ping, but I do give him credit for giving the Solar Bears some much needed coverage. Speaking of coverage...

Solar Bears announce Clear Channel as the broadcasting affiliate, Bob Mills as new voice:

Clear Channel affiliate station 740AM The Game will broadcast all 72 games during this upcoming season. We would be able to listen in on games by going to iheartsolarbears.com though iHeart Radio. It'll be really handy for most of who are still in ID checking at the bar age might not have radios with AM dials on it. That's okay, there's an app for that or simply, the internet. Also, when we head down to opening night on October 20, we will have the pleasure of hearing newly named PR and Broadcasting Director Bob Mills in the booth calling the plays. After the hiring, him and Coach Berehowsky went to several local radio stations to spread the word of Shades. Despite being slightly older than I, he sounds a lot like an old school radio emcee.

Solar Bears add one more to roster and invite two from tryouts:

The Solar Bears add T.J. Fox to the team, bring the total signed so far to eight. Also, the Solar Bears have invited Matthew Panzo and Edward Levens to training camp after impressing Berehowsky from last week's tryouts.

Shades is celebrating his Sweet 16!

That is just one of the special events and theme nights the Solar Bears will be having during the games this season. During the game on October 28th against Greenville, will hand out sunglasses to the first 3000 fans and will celebrate Shades 16th birthday, it's currently unknown whether or not they'll bring in Swampee, but it'll be interesting. See if Sealvester can be found somewhere for backup. Other promotions including St. Patricks Day, Teddy Bear Toss, Military Appreciation can all be found here.

UPDATE SEPT. 6:

The Solar Bears have made another signing this week by acquiring former ECHL MVP Kevin Baker. Baker was named ECHL MVP in 2009 while a member of the Florida Everblades and during his time in the ECHL, he recorded 168 goals, 185 assists and 353 points in 317 games he appeared. With the 1st line pretty much complete and focusing with on size-powered defensemen, Coach Drake Berehowsky seems to now putting his focus on getting the pieces for a top tier offense. "It's always a benefit to the team to have a top-flight goal-scorer of Kevin's quality," said Berehowsky "Anytime you can bring in a former MVP it will help the club." It will be very exciting to see how the new team will build their chemistry once training camp open ups. For an expansion team, the Solar Bears are doing their best to fulfill their statement of "We want to win NOW!" made back when their NHL affiliation was announce.

So as we go through this final month of hibernation, the anticipation is getting intense and the countdown to opening night is heating up. We will finally get to see all these players signed in an actual Solar Bears sweater instead of those Photoshop crops; and hopefully, Shades won't eat too much birthday cake, he still needs to bulk up, but to not what the AHL's Hershey Bears did to their Coco, all bones, no muscle. Nonetheless, nothing will distract us from the hype of opening night, not even Dwight Howard trying to buy back our love with a $325 "Thank You" ad he put out a few days ago. Not even the fact that there could be a lockout in the NHL (In fact, it could help us talent and fan wise). Just remember, October 5th is around the corner, then October 12th, then the night we all been waiting for, October 20th, Opening Night!

Just couldn't pass this up. I know, it's not that good. You guys can make up your own captions too if you want. Original photo by Orlando Solar Bears, unfunny captions by me.

Ryan Cruthers' Mission in Orlando

2012-08-20T22:42:00.000-04:00

Source: alaskaaces.com

As you look through the media in Orlando, you may notice very few news coverage on the Solar Bears. If you were to go on Google right now (or at 1am on August 16, like I did) and search Orlando Solar Bears within the last month, you don't really find the local paper here doing stories on the Solar Bears often. I will give credit though to the Orlando Sentinel for this article about Coach Drake Berehowsky (just a warning though, unless you're a subscriber or haven't read one of their articles in the past 30 days, they may ask you for money). Besides that, what you'll find in that Google search is of course, the Solar Bears website; message boards, copy and paste announcements, blogs, including yours truly; and logo archives.

You're probably thinking to yourself, "What does this have to do with Ryan Cruthers?" If you were to pick up a newspaper from Orlando anytime between nine months ago and now, turn it to the Sports section, what is the common top story about that even ESPN had their eyes sparkle after it all went down? Dwight Howard. Dwight Howard this, Dwight Howard that, he wants to be traded, now he doesn't, he'll only sign with Brooklyn, but then he's okay with L.A. and Dallas, his back was too hurt to be with his ex-teammates or attend his already postponed basketball camp, but had no problem walking around Hollywood or attending Dodgers games. And who could ever forget his infamous "I'm too Loyal" speech? Well, those are the memories that Ryan Cruthers will have the burden of erasing. It may not have been in his job description, in the contract, or even in the drunken text he got from Bob Ohrablo (just kidding), it will be up to him to show not only the Solar Bears, but the city of Orlando that there really is a good guy.

Cruthers has shown to be a fan favorite when he played at Reading. Look at this letter he wrote to the fans after he was traded to Alaska last season. (Props to Candice Monhollan)...

...For someone to sent out a public statement to the fans of the team he put so much heart on, and to even give shoutouts to some fans BY NAME, showed that even though he no longer plays there, he has a special place in his heart for Reading and the fans have him in theirs. That is the type of leader these new Solar Bears need if they want to keep the tradition of reaching the finals in the inaugural season, hopefully the last. Yeah, he may be small for hockey, but there's a reason why he wore the "C" on his sweater, he plays the game smart, always a step ahead of the other team, using the skill set he's got as well as his teammates. A man who's dedicated to making himself better everyday both on the ice, and off.

It won't be easy to forget the pain and taste left behind by Dwight Howard, but as long as Ryan Cruthers takes the leadership and charisma he had at Reading into Orlando, who knows, maybe the next time you pickup a newspaper, it will read on the front page of the Sports section: "Magic lose by 30 to Bobcats! Losing streak now at 12" Look right under that story: "Cruthers leads Bears to memorable victory!" I said front page, not the headline story. I still got to be realistic, you know.

From Outside the Den

2012-07-30T19:46:00.001-04:00

Even though we are all still wallowing in the greatness that is the Solar Bears and trying to learn everything about the ECHL, one thing is happening that could affect the Solar Bears (not so much in a bad way though).

It's that time of year err, decade... err period, whatever you want to call it, where the NHL and the Players' Association negotiate a new CBA. Yes, we all put with it with the NBA this past year and the NFL the year before that. For those of you who caught sight of this and though: "Oh crap, not 2005 again." may not too far off. According to tweets from Renard P Lavoie of RDS, here's what the owner's have submitted to the PA for the new CBA a couple weeks back:

NHL proposal to players: 1-reduce players hockey related revenues to 46% from 57 %. 2-10 seasons in NHL before being UFA.
— Renaud P Lavoie (@RenLavoieRDS) July 14, 2012

3-contracts limites to 5 years 4-no more salary arbitration. 5- entry-level contract 5 years instead of 3.
— Renaud P Lavoie (@RenLavoieRDS) July 14, 2012

If you're thinking to yourself "What the *%&!?" you're not the only one. Though some may think #3 & #5 may seem reasonable (and I use that term loosely), the other three are just flat out, outrageous. Sure, why not take a pay cut, wait for a raise, and take whatever we give you and like it? Remember though, this is after all, the first offer. The only logical reason of this would be to eventually "settle" what they really want, kind of like me wanting to buy a $150 hockey sweater for $100, and initially offer the seller $50 with hopes of settling for $100, but even that almost never works. If I really did that, the seller would just give me the middle finger and find someone who will negotiate a better offer.

With October just three months away and the current CBA set to expire on September 15, it'll be interesting to see what the PA will put in their counteroffer. And if there is a lockout, how it would affect the roster quality for the Solar Bears.

Wild and Crazy Rumors Finally Get Settled.

2012-07-18T01:54:00.002-04:00

The Orlando Solar Bears announced their first of many signing Tuesday.

These past couple weeks may have some of the most wild and crazy, with the signing rumors that caught the eyes of an agent and the Solar Bears themselves. Even though the rumors turned out to be false (I may or may not have have tried to spread it), it still drew a lot of buzz on SolarBearsForum and to throw more fuel to the fire with a thread with screenshots of agent Shawn Green's twitter account as well as a FaceBook post I made on the Solar Bears page in which they denied the report and eventually took it down. The admin of SolarBearsForum.com did not have much luck trying as far as where exactly the Brad Good signing came from or if fellow client Andrew Hotham could be in the works of signing with the Solar Bears. Green even took a photo of the "rumor mill" we had going on and tweeted it. The flash really got in the way since he did not know that a "prt sc" button exists on a keyboard (If you don't know, push it on your keyboard, open paint, right-click, hit paste and Viola!)

Despite posting this tweet, Shawn Green denied that he spoke with head coach Drake Berehowsky

A couple other hockey forums also posted this unconfirmed rumor, but didn't create any buzz, in fact, posts regarding or inquiring about sources were quickly deleted. Can you believe now that we are less than 100 days til the revival of the Solar Bears is complete? So what if some of us began to throw crap on the wall hoping it sticks? Okay, I just brought myself down to a certain local sportscaster. But anyway, this may or may not have led to these recent announcements from the organization:

Matt McIlvane hired as Solar Bears Assistant Coach

During the time Coach Berehowsky was attending the Minnesota Wild Development Camp, he lured the now former Danville Dashers coach and GM Matt McIlvane into the ECHL. McIlvane actually played from Berehowsky when he was the assistant at Peoria, his playing career was cut short due to a severe injury while playing for the Cincinnati Cyclones and began his coaching career soon after.

McIlvane didn't take long to impress in the coaching ranks. When he took over the Dashers of the Federal Hockey League, the team got into serious turmoil when the previous coach, Joe Pace Sr. was in a freak accident during practice that nearly took his life and was unable to continue coaching. McIlvane was able to bring in order as the team was coping with the accident and brought hope to a brighter future for the Dashers with his "Never Quit" attitude.

Ryan Cruthers Becomes first Solar Bear of the ECHL.

No, it wasn't Brad Good, nor was it Andrew Hotham. Instead, the Solar Bears look over to forward Ryan Cruthers to be the go-to core leader as he becomes the first player to don a Solar Bears sweater since the original Solar Bears in 2001. With 86 goals and 152 assists in the past five years and being the all-time scorer for the Reading Royals, Cruthers brings a solid skill set to bring into the new team and the attitude for being the leader Dwight Howard should've been. It's great to see that the team is starting to come together and I'm looking forward to what will be next for the Solar Bears. In the meantime, we'll end on this clip of new Solar Bear Ryan Cruthers, apparently using his psychic powers to stop time during the fireworks at Disney World talking about the FanAttic, which by the way, was torn down in 2007 and wasn't in operation since 1999. Oh, you're talking about the one of the Reading Royals? My bad, goes to show you that I don't go out often.

Just one more thing for Ryan Cruthers: (you all can as well if you want)

What is your favorite cereal?