So you’re a Floridian or you’re in Florida and you play ice hockey. You have dreams of playing professionally… Being in Florida works against you, though, because Florida isn’t thought of as a hot bed for ice hockey talents. Hell, “Florida” and “ice hockey” still don’t mix even though it’s 20 years after the introduction of the NHL game to the state.
Back to your aspirations: You want to get a chance to go pro. You want a shot. Opportunity is knocking in Orlando.
The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL expansion franchise beginning play this year, has put out a call for tryouts:
ALERT – If you are interested in information regarding OPEN TRYOUTS for the Orlando Solar Bears send request to orlandoprohockey@gmail.com
— Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) August 8, 2012
While I lead this story with Florida-this and Florida that, there are no stated ground rules to contacting the Solar Bears with interest in tryouts (that’s the downside to putting out a tryout request on Twitter — 140 characters to work with)… So if you’re elsewhere in the U.S. or in Canada and want a shot – go for it.
The Solar Bears are the resumption of Orlando’s defunct International Hockey League team that ceased operations with the demise of the IHL in 2001. The Solar Bears are the affiliate of the Houston Aeros of the AHL and Minnesota Wild of the NHL.
