Orlando Solar Bears
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Orlando Solar Bears | |
Conference | Eastern |
Division | Central (1995-96) Northeast (1996-1999) |
Founded | December 13, 1994 |
History | Orlando Solar Bears 1995-2001 |
Arena | T.D. Waterhouse Centre |
City | Orlando, Florida |
Local Media Affiliates | Sunshine Network WZKD (AM 950) WFLF (AM 540) |
Team Colours | Solar Purple, Seafoam Green, and Sunset Orange |
Owner | RDV Sports, Inc. |
General Manager | Don Waddell 1995-1997 John Weisbrod 1997-2001 |
Head Coach | Curt Fraser 1995-1999 Pete Horachek 1999-2001 |
Captain | different through years |
Minor League Affiliates | Atlanta Thrashers (NHL) 1999-2001 Greenville Grrrowl (ECHL) Mississippi Sea Wolves (ECHL) |
Stanley Cups | Turner Cup 2001 |
Conference Championships | Eastern 1996, Eastern 1999, Eastern 2001 |
Division Championships | Central 1996 |
Contents |
[edit] 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
[edit] Franchise History
The Orlando Solar Bears were a professional ice hockey team based out of Orlando, Florida that played their home games at the Amway Arena.
The Solar Bears started in 1995 and played in the International Hockey League until the league folded in 2001. 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. Due to the DeVos family transferring the Grand Rapids Griffins franchise to the AHL, the Solar Bears were not admitted to the American Hockey League upon the IHL's demise due to ownership rules of the AHL. However, the IHL's prestigious "Turner Cup" resides in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario with the Orlando Solar Bears team name inscribed for all posterity as the last team to win it.
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), D.; Curtis Murphy, D.; Allan Bester, G.; 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 (Atlanta Thrashers), F.
A handful of Solar Bears went on to play for the team they defeated for the cup, the Chicago Wolves, (AHL), most notably goalie, Norm Maracle, the IHL M.V.P. of that deciding playoff series 1999-2001. That Wolves team went on the win the Calder Cup their first year removed from the IHL.
[edit] Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
1995-96 | 82 | 52 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 110 | 352 | 307 | 2161 | 1st in Central | Final, 0-4 (UTA) |
1996-97 | 82 | 53 | 24 | 0 | 5 | 111 | 305 | 232 | 2218 | 2nd in Northeast | Lost in Semi-final (CIN) |
1997-98 | 82 | 42 | 30 | 10 | 3 | 94 | 258 | 251 | 2321 | 2nd in Northeast | Lost in ECF (DET) |
1998-99 | 82 | 45 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 94 | 264 | 253 | 2324 | 2nd in Northeast | Final, 3-4 (HOU) |
1999-00 | 82 | 47 | 23 | 0 | 12 | 106 | 250 | 202 | 2020 | 2nd in East | Lost in Semi-final (CIN) |
2000-01 | 82 | 47 | 28 | 0 | 7 | 101 | 241 | 193 | 1592 | 2nd in East | Won Turner Cup, 4-1 (CHI) |
Grand Totals | 492 | 286 | 162 | 20 | 29 | 535 | 1670 | 1438 | 12636 |
[edit] IHL Awards and Trophies
- 2000-01
Eastern Conference Champions Trophy
- 1995-96, 1998-99, 2000-01
James Norris Memorial Trophy (Best Goaltender - Statistical)
- Norm Maracle, Scott Fankhouser: 2000-01
Commissioners' Trophy (Coach of the Year)
- Pete Horachek: 2000-01
Ken McKenzie Trophy (American Born Rookie of the Year)
- Brian Felsner: 1996-97
- Eric Nickulas: 1997-98
- Brian Pothier: 2000-01
James Gatschene Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
- Norm Maracle: 2000-01
N.R. Poile Trophy (Playoff MVP)
- Norm Maracle: 2000-01
Garry F. Longman Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
- Brian Pothier: 2000-01
- Kevin Smyth: 1996-97
[edit] 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: Norm Maracle, 33 (2000-01)
Most Shutouts in a season: Norm Maracle, 8 (2000-01)