Solar Bears Announce Training Camp Schedule and Roster

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

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

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!

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.