Orlando Solar Bears
CityOrlando, Florida
LeagueIHL
ConferenceEastern Conference
DivisionCentral (1995–96)
Northeast (1996–99)
Founded1994 (1994)
Operated1995–2001
Home arenaOrlando Arena
ColorsSolar purple, seafoam green, sunset orange, white
       
Owner(s)RDV Sports, Inc.
General managerDon Waddell (1995–97)
John Weisbrod (1997–2001)
Head coachCurt Fraser (1995–99)
Peter Horachek (1999–2001)
MediaSunshine Network
WZKD (AM 950)
WFLF (AM 540)
AffiliatesAtlanta Thrashers (NHL) 1999–2001
Greenville Grrrowl (ECHL)
Mississippi Sea Wolves (ECHL)
Championships
Division titles1 1995–96
Conference titles3 1995–96, 1998–99, 2000–01
Turner Cups1 2000–01

The Orlando Solar Bears were a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Orlando, Florida. The Solar Bears played in the International Hockey League's Eastern Conference. They played their home games at the Orlando Arena.

Facts

Turner Cup Champions: 1 — 2000–01
Runner-up: 2 — 1995–96, 1998–99
Conference Champions: Eastern: 3 — 1995–96, 1998–99, 2000–01
Division Champions: Central: 1 — 1995–96
Main Rival: Detroit Vipers

Franchise history

The Solar Bears franchise started in 1995 and played in the International Hockey League (IHL) until the league folded in 2001. They were owned by the DeVos family, who also owned the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Kansas City Blades of the IHL and the Orlando Magic of the NBA. During their time in the IHL, the team made it to three Turner Cup finals, being swept by the Utah Grizzlies in 1996, losing in game seven to the Houston Aeros in 1999 and defeating the Chicago Wolves in five games in 2001, which was the final Turner Cup Championship.

Several IHL teams were taken into the American Hockey League, but the Solar Bears were not among them. The DeVos family could only bring one team into the AHL, and chose the Griffins because the Solar Bears had never drawn well despite their on-ice success, including being the second-last team to win the Turner Cup. A handful of Solar Bears went on to play for the team they defeated for the championship, the Chicago Wolves, in the AHL, most notably goalie Norm Maracle, the IHL MVP of that deciding playoff series. That Wolves team went on to win the Calder Cup in their first AHL season.

During its inaugural season, the Solar Bears starred center Alfie Turcotte, former first round pick of the Montreal Canadiens. Other notable team members included: Hubie McDonough (New York Islanders), C.; Pat Neaton, D.; Barry Dreger, D.; Todd Richards, F.; Craig Fisher (Philadelphia Flyers), D.; Curtis Murphy, D.; Allan Bester, G.; Scott LaGrand; Dave Barr. C.; Mark Beaufait, F.; Todd Krygier (Washington Capitals), F.; Kirby Law, F.; Mike Hartman, F.; Jason Blake, F.; Zac Boyer, F.; Grigori Panteleev, F; Herbert Vasiljevs, F.; and Dan Snyder, F.

In the 1999 Turner Cup Conference Finals, the Solar Bears completed the only successful comeback from a 0–3 deficit in the 56-year history of the International Hockey League, against the Detroit Vipers. In Game 7, rookie Jason Blake scored twice in regulation and winger Todd Krygier got the game-winner 25 seconds into the second overtime, giving Orlando a 5–4 victory. The Solar Bears went on to lose in the finals, 4 games to 3, to the Houston Aeros.

In 2011, the ECHL announced a new franchise had been awarded to Orlando. On November 16, 2011, it was announced that the new team would be named the Orlando Solar Bears.[1]

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Turner Cup Champions † Fred A. Huber Trophy * Conference Champions ^ Division Champions ¤
IHL season Conference Division Regular season Postseason
Finish GP W L SOL Pts [a] GF GA GP W L GF GA Result
1995–96 Eastern ^ Central ¤ 1st 82 52 24 6 110 352 307 23 11 12 71 73 Won in conference quarterfinals, 3–2 (Komets)
Won in conference semifinals, 4–3 (Vipers)
Won in conference finals, 4–3 (Cyclones)
Lost in Turner Cup Final, 0–4 (Grizzlies)
1996–97 Eastern North 2nd 82 53 24 5 111 305 232 10 4 6 30 33 Won in first round, 3–2 (Griffins)
Lost in quarterfinals, 1–4 (Lumberjacks)
1997–98 Eastern Northeast 2nd 82 42 30 10 94 258 251 17 9 8 62 54 Won in 1/8 Finals, 3–2 (Ice)
Won in quarterfinals, 4–2 (Lumberjacks)
Lost in semifinals, 2–4 (Vipers)
1998–99 Eastern ^ Northeast 2nd 82 45 33 4 94 264 253 17 10 7 54 58 Won in quarterfinals, 3–0 (K-Wings)
Won in semifinals, 4–3 (Vipers)
Lost in Turner Cup Final, 3–4 (Aeros)
1999–00 Eastern — 2nd 82 47 23 12 106 250 202 6 2 4 11 19 Lost in quarterfinals, 2–4 (Cyclones)
2000–01 Eastern ^ — 2nd 82 47 28 7 101 241 193 16 12 4 56 41 Won in quarterfinals, 4–1 (Cyclones)
Won in semifinals, 4–2 (Griffins)
Won in Turner Cup Final, 4–1 (Wolves) †
IHL Totals (6 seasons) 492 286 162 44 616 1,670 1,438 89 48 41 284 278 6 playoff appearances

a Wins are worth two points, losses are worth zero points and ties, overtime losses and shootout losses are worth one point.

IHL Awards and Trophies

Turner Cup

Eastern Conference Champions Trophy

James Norris Memorial Trophy (Best Goaltender – Statistical)

Commissioners' Trophy (Coach of the Year)

Ken McKenzie Trophy (American Born Rookie of the Year)

James Gatschene Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player)

N.R. Poile Trophy (Playoff MVP)

Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)

Comeback Player of the Year

Orlando Solar Bear Individual Records

Most Goals in a season: Craig Fisher, 74 (1995–96)
Most Assists in a season: Mark Beaufait, 79 (1995–96)
Most Points in a season: Craig Fisher, 130 (1995–96)
Most Penalty Minutes in a season: Barry Dreger, 387 (1996–97)
Most Wins in a season: Allan Bester, 37 (1996–97)
Most Shutouts in a season: Norm Maracle, 8 (2000–01)

References

  1. ^ "Orlando welcomes back the Solar Bears". ECHL. November 16, 2011. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
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