The Bears are Out of Hibernation

Get ready, Orlando, because minor league hockey is returning to your city. That’s right – the Orlando Solar Bears are back.

The ECHL is adding a new team this year to its ranks – the Orlando Solar Bears, who will begin play with the 2012-13 season at the Amway Center in Orlando.

The team will be affiliated with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and the AHL’s Houston Aeros.

For those who may not be so aware – this isn’t the first time the Bears have been in Orlando. The ECHL squad is a reincarnation of a former team that resided in Orlando – the Solar Bears of the IHL, who went into hibernation when the league folded in 2001.

The former Solar Bears franchise was created in 1994 and was affiliated with the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers from 1999 until 2001. During its existence, the team won one division championship, three conference championships and one Turner Cup.

Alumni of the Bears include NHLers Jason Blake and Darcy Hordichuk, current Columbus Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards, and the late NHLer, Dan Snyder.

The announcement that the Bears would become the newest team in the ECHL came in November 2011. Since then, the team’s new logo has been released (seen above); it’s similar to the IHL logo, with minor changes in color and style. Team merchandise is now available here.

As for the team’s roster – it’s incomplete at this time, but several facets of the squad are in place.

Former NHLer Drake Berehowsky will be the team’s head coach. Berehowsky was drafted in 1990 by the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, and went on to play for six NHL teams in his career, which lasted until 2006. He spent time with the Leafs, Penguins, Oilers, Predators, Canucks and Coyotes and played 549 NHL games total.

Since ending his playing career, Berehowsky served as assistant coach of the Peoria Riverman for three seasons. The Solar Bears also named another former NHLer, Matt McIlvane, as their assistant coach.

The Solar Bears also have a few players on their roster so far.

Forward Ryan Cruthers became the first player to join the team. An AHL and ECHL veteran, the 28-year-old Farmingdale native spent most of last season with Reading of the ECHL. He had 11 goals and 28 assists in 48 games before joining the Alaska Aces for the playoffs. His AHL experience includes time with the Lake Erie Monsters, Albany River Rats, Norfolk Admirals, Manitoba Moose and Hershey Bears.

Left wing Jordan Lane and defenseman Ben Woodley have also signed on with the Orlando team.

Lane, a 23-year-old native of the Yukon Territory, played 34 games with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL last season. Prior to that, he played with Evansville of the Central Hockey League, as well as in the MHL and QMJHL. He had two points, 53 penalty minutes and a minus-4 rating last year.

Woodley, 20, played 59 games with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL last season. He had five goals and 42 assists, as well as 125 penalty minutes, in that stretch. He’s also spent time in the AJHL and GOJHL. The London, Ontario native becomes the first blueliner to join the Solar Bears for their upcoming season.

The Orlando Solar Bears will begin their season Saturday, October 13. Thirty-six home games are scheduled for the upcoming season.