Orlando Solar Bears

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Orlando Solar Bears
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

Turner Cup

  • 2000-01

Eastern Conference Champions Trophy

  • 1995-96, 1998-99, 2000-01

James Norris Memorial Trophy (Best Goaltender - Statistical)

Commissioners' Trophy (Coach of the Year)

  • Pete Horachek: 2000-01

Ken McKenzie Trophy (American Born Rookie of the Year)

James Gatschene Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player)

N.R. Poile Trophy (Playoff MVP)

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

Comeback Player of the Year

  • 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)

[edit] See also

List of Orlando Solar Bears players