Drake Berehowsky Named Solar Bears Head Coach!

A former NHL defenceman, Berehowsky served as an assistant for the AHL Peoria Rivermen for the past three seasons.

After many months of waiting, the Orlando Solar Bears have named former Toronto Maple Leafs player Drake Berehowsky as their new Head Coach. As I mentioned in my last post the person named Head Coach would also be the GM, which will be the case as Berehowsky will also oversee hockey operations.

In a statement Berehowsky says: “I am proud to take the reigns in Orlando and look forward to building a winning organization. The Solar Bears partners are committed to assembling a first class organization on and off the ice. We will recruit players that possess the skill and heart to win on the ice and that want to be involved in the community off the ice. I want players that aspire to win the ECHL’s Kelly Cup while in Orlando and the NHL’s Stanley Cup in the future.”

Berehowsky spent the last three seasons in the AHL as an Assistant Coach under Jared Bednar (ironically, was one of our candidates) for the Peoria Rivermen. Though not much relevant if you're an assistant, the Rivermen went 119-96-21 in those three seasons.

As far as my take on the hiring, I would say that this is a good hire for the Solar Bears. I have heard that he is a well liked person and leader as well as having a solid background. Berehowsky also has experience coaching Hockey Canada and is a continued learner of the game, which could mean that he could be one of those coaches, like his old head man Bednar, whose career will shoot out like a rocket. As a former defenceman, we can expect the Solar Bears to be defensive-orientated (yeah, I know "you don't say")

With that, the franchise is expected to hold an introductory press conference next Wednesday, June 27 at the Orlando City Hall.

Click here for the full press release from the Orlando Solar Bears website.

What are your thoughts?

Possible Coaching Candidates for the Solar Bears

From top-right clockwise: Brad Tapper, Jared Bednar, Stan Drulia, Sebastien Laplante, Peter Horachek, and Malcolm Cameron

On July 26, 1995, (Give or take a few days) the original Solar Bears hired Curt Fraser as their first ever head coach. Back to today, the new Solar Bears are still in the search for someone to take the helm on the ice come October. Chances are, whoever they hire will also most likely be the team's general manager as well.

Since there is right now no smoke signals from the Solar Bears as to who they've talked to or who they're considering, I thought I would make a list of plausible candidates who may or may not be interested in the position. This list was made up of coaches who have some sort of connection to Orlando or have had coaching experience in the ECHL. There is also a poll on the Facebook page of who you think could become the coach, or comment below with your suggestions.

Brad Tapper

Currently the assistant coach for the champion Florida Everblades, Tapper had a short stint playing for the IHL Solar Bears when they won the Turner Cup and recently got into coaching after retiring in 2009. His first job was the head coach of CCHL North York Rangers before becoming an assistant with the Everblades in 2010. Coming off a Kelly Cup victory, it would seem that Tapper may take advantage and use it as an attempt to land a head coaching position. I'm pretty sure he loved his short time with the Solar Bears.

Chances of coaching the Solar Bears: Likely

Jared Bednar

He is looking for work right now! Bednar became head coach of division rival South Carolina Stingrays in 2007 after being an assistant the previous five seasons. His career then, took off like a rocket, immediately taking the Stingrays to the Kelly Cups Finals in his first year and winning the Cup a year later. He later became an assistant in the AHL for the Abbotsford Heat for one season and then the head coach of the Peoria Riverman up until a couple days ago. He will more than likely stay and look for work in the AHL, but it wouldn't hurt giving him a ring.

Chances of coaching the Solar Bears: Unlikely

Stan Drulia

Along with Sealvester, Drulia was the only diamond in the dirt that was the Orlando Seals. In his lone season at the helm, Drulia recorded a 43-17 regular season as well as a clean sweep in the playoffs, winning the ACHL championship. He coached in the ECHL with the Augusta Lynx, Port Hurton Icehawks, and Wheeling Nailers and had good success in the league. He left Wheeling midseason after being named the assistant with the Milwaukee Admirals (no relation to Norfolk) in the AHL. Now, the Admirals are now looking for a head coach after the current man stepped down, so it may be that Drulia could take over the position.

Chances of coaching the Solar Bears: Not very likely

Sebastien Laplante

Like Tapper, Laplante hasn't been in the coaching ranks long. Currently an assistant for the Solar Bears AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros, Laplante spent the last few seasons as a college assistant at Northeastern University. When the Solar Bears announced their affiliation with the Aeros and the Minnesota Wild, they mentioned that the affiliates would have an input in the decision of the head coach. The only reason he may be named the coach would be to give him experience as a head coach and have him in line as a successor should current Aeros coach, John Torchetti step down.

Chances of coaching the Solar Bears: Unlikely

Peter Horachek

Who are we kidding? He's an NHL assistant! He isn't dropping two leagues down. Sorry for wasting your time Mr. Horachek, thanks again for helping the Solar Bears win the Turner Cup.

Malcolm Cameron

One of his notable accomplishments was setting an ECHL record for the fewest losses in the regular season with 9 in 2008 with the Texas Wildcatters. With the exception of the half-season he spent with the Elmira Jackals, he has had a pretty solid coaching record in the ECHL, being able to turn teams around almost overnight. He would be a good pickup for the Solar Bears and should be considered. He is looking for work after all.

Chances of coaching the Solar Bears: Likely

These candidates and their chances are just speculation. Who knows, maybe Horachek may leave Nashville and come back to Orlando. Maybe Dwight Howard may stop changing his mind every 15 minutes. Both possible, but not at all likely. What do you think about these choice? Who would you like to see coach the Solar Bears? Who do you suggest that is not on this list? You can comment below or go to our Facebook poll and pick you favorite.

Thank You Florida Everblades

With Panthers/Bolt tickets too pricey and the Seals being way too unstable, Swampee and the Everblades filled my hockey void very nicely. They will always have a place for my support. Source: floridaeverblades.com

With the 2011-2012 ECHL season now over, the countdown begins to really take effect for us here in Orlando as the Solar Bears prepare for their inaugural season in the ECHL. The coming rivalry between the Orlando Solar Bears and the Florida Everblades should begin to show, it was only natural for the Solar Bears to play the new defending champs during each others banner-raising games, maybe not for Orlando, but you get my point (Come on Ohrablo, make it happen). October can't come soon enough.

I am going to admit something, but what I'm about to say does not affect anything of my Solar Bears love in any way, in fact, it'll make this new rivalry that much more interesting.

I am also an Everblades fan.

(Cue the gasps and the shock)


Again, I will always love the Solar Bears more than any hockey team ever, but if you forgot, THEY HAVE NOT PLAYED IN OVER 10 YEARS! I needed to go see some live hockey. Sure, we had the Orlando Seals, but only for a couple years til they moved to Kissimmee. That's when I decided to give the Florida Everbaldes a chance. Around that time, one of my parents had to drive up to Ft. Myers for business reasons in which I sometimes would tag along, then afterwards, if there was a game that night, we would go to Estero to catch it. The intensity, the feel, the atmosphere was electrifying. The fans, one of the most dedicated I've seen. The team, always in the running for the Kelly Cup. Who does that remind me of, oh yeah, almost...almost. Every game I went to, including the time I went on the bus tour a couple months ago, made me feel very close to I felt whenever I went to a Solar Bears game. Think about it, solid team, great crowd, awesome cool logo and name with a kickass mascot, I guess you can say they were a great Solar Bears stand-in. And with the Everblades winning the Kelly Cup the season before the Solar Bears come back to the ice marks the perfect way to transition back into them.

I just want to take a moment to give the Everblades their due:

Thank You for helping me get through the times of hockey-less Orlando.
Thank You for making all the boring meetings tolerable as I looked forward to going to a game.
Thank You for the hospitality of the fans and their dedication.
Thank You for being a stable organization and continuing to prosper for the last 14 years.
Thank You for being for allowing me to cheer for a team that just so happens to have a lot of irony.

and most of all...

Thank You for the fans who congratulated us on having our own team once again.

Even though I was more of a casual fan than a hardcore follower like I am with the Solar Bears, it was a pleasure supporting and cheering for you guys. It doesn't mean that I will stop cheering for the Everblades, it means that during times of peace, win your games, and during times of war (which will be quite often) we will show you why we're better.


Thank You again to the Florida Everblades and congratulations on winning the 2012 Kelly Cup.

The Solar Bears will begin their inaugural ECHL season watching their new rivals, the Florida Everblades raise their championship banner, hopefully giving them the fuel to raise one themselves and having the roles reversed a year later.  Source: floridaeverblades.com

Now, let the rivalry begin.