TAMPA BAY — The Tampa Bay Lightning extended their ECHL affiliation with the Orlando Solar Bears for two more seasons, keeping intact a Central Florida hockey pipeline that has funneled 46 players between the two organizations since the 2018-19 season.
Lightning vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced the deal, crediting the Solar Bears’ front office with building a development-first operation. “Chris Heller, Matt MacDonald and the entire organization have created a first-class environment with a winning culture focused on player development, while also helping grow the game of hockey throughout the State of Florida,” BriseBois said. “The Lightning look forward to the Solar Bears serving as our affiliate for another two seasons.”
Solar Bears president Chris Heller called the geographic proximity between Tampa Bay and Orlando a competitive advantage for both clubs. “Julien BriseBois and his staff have continued to be first-class partners through our first eight seasons working together,” Heller said. “With the geographical proximity of our two teams, the impact of our relationship in our respective communities is immense and plays a key factor in the growth of the game at the grassroots level in Central Florida.”
Since the affiliation began in the 2018-19 season, 46 players have appeared with both the Solar Bears and the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa Bay’s American Hockey League affiliate. Orlando has posted a 271-234-51-9 record, a .525 winning percentage, over that span.
The Solar Bears, owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, play at the AdventHealth Rink at Kia Center. The ECHL serves as the premier “AA” hockey league in North America.
Before partnering with Orlando, the Lightning held ECHL affiliations with the Adirondack Thunder for the 2017-18 season, the Kalamazoo Wings for 2016-17 and the Florida Everblades from 2010-2013. Tampa Bay’s first ECHL affiliate was the Louisville Icehawks during the franchise’s inaugural 1992-93 season.