Hello mid-September. Β We are getting ever closer to the start of hockey season. Β Let there be ice!
π°πβπ πππππππππ ππ ππππ π πππ ππππ ππππππ ππππππ π pic.twitter.com/yKv2lP2y1Q
β Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) August 30, 2021
Since the last update, the Orlando Solar Bears have continued to add on to their 2021-22 roster, which is good with training camp slated to open in just about a month.
Two familiar faces and three new players have signed on, putting the current roster at 11 skaters (7 forwards, 4 defensemen):
-On August 23rd, rookie forward Luke Boka signed a standard ECHL contract and will be making his professional debut come October. Β He sat out the 2021-22 season after his first collegiate season with U Sportsβ Queenβs University was canceled due to the pandemic. Β Before that, the Michigan native spent five seasons with Windsor in the OHL, where in 2019-20 he served as team captain and appeared in 59 games, with 17 goals and 19 assists. Β He helped lead the Spitfires to the 2017 Memorial Cup title.
-Two days later, Orlando picked up a Tampa native, forward Zach Remers. Β He will be making his North American pro debut in the fall after spending 2020-21 overseas with Kalmar HC in Swedenβs HockeyEttan. Β He had 8 goals and 8 assists in 37 appearances. Β Before turning pro, Remers played for 4 years with NCAA Division III Buffalo State of SUNYAC.
Look at all these new Solar Bears fans! π₯° Also – we are pretty sure that Zach Remers will have the shortest travel time to camp! π€£ pic.twitter.com/NlwaqVqRV2
β Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) August 27, 2021
-Orlando kicked off the month of September by bringing back a familiar name to Solar Bears fans, signing forward Dylan Fitze. Β He will be starting his second stint with the team after sitting out the 2020-21 season. Β He split the 2019-20 season between Orlando and Kansas City, appearing in 37 games for the Solar Bears with 4 goals and 4 assists, and one goal in 2 games for the Mavericks.
You could say our latest player signing…πͺπ΄ π«πΆπ΄π΅ π’ π―π’π΅πΆπ³π’π ππππ‘π π
Join us in welcoming Dylan Fitze back to Orlando!
β Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) September 1, 2021
-On Tuesday, Orlando picked up veteran defenseman Chad Duchesne. The Ontario native spent 2020-21 with Wheeling, where he had 1 goal and 2 assists in 28 games. Β Before that, he spent four seasons with Greenville.
-On Monday, the team brought back forward Fabrizio Ricci for a second season. Β Signing on in mid-February, the Toronto native appeared in 28 games for the Solar Bears, with two goals and three assists. Β He will be starting his third pro season in October.
ππ’π£ πͺπ΄ π£π’π€π¬! πβοΈ
The Solar Bears have re-signed Fabrizio Ricci for the 2021-22 season!
β Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) September 13, 2021
Solar Bears Represent at Prospects Showcase
As Justin mentioned earlier this week, the Lightning rookies are currently participating in a prospect showcase, culminating in matchups against prospects from Nashville, Carolina, and Florida. Β Four players who skated for Orlando at different points the last two seasons are participating in this camp: forwards Jimmy Huntington and Alexei Lipanov, and defensemen Alex Green and Dmitri Semykin. Β Keep an eye on both goaltenders in camp, Hugo Alnefelt and Amir Miftakhnov, as one or possibly both may see time in a Solar Bears sweater this season.
