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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
Home Arena TD Waterhouse Centre
City Orlando, Florida
Colours Solar Purple, Seafoam Green, and Sunset Orange
Media Sunshine Network
WZKD (AM 950)
WFLF (AM 540)
Owner(s) 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)
Conference Championships Eastern 1996, Eastern 1999, Eastern 2001
Division Championships Central 1996

The Orlando Solar Bears were a professional ice hockey team based out of Orlando, Florida that played their home games at the TD Waterhouse Centre (now the Amway Arena). Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Amway Arena (formerly known as the Orlando Arena, TD Waterhouse Centre, and The Arena in Orlando, and colloquially known by the nickname of O-Rena Orlando is a major City in central Florida, USA and is the County seat of Orange County Florida. Sun Sports is a Florida sports broadcasting network with its headquarters at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. RDV Sports Inc is a Michigan corporation set up by Richard DeVos to purchase the NBA franchise the Orlando Magic. Don Waddell (b August 19 1958, Detroit Michigan) is the current executive Vice president and general manager of the John Weisbrod is a former General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of the Orlando Magic, a professional basketball team of the NBA. Curtis Martin Fraser (born January 12, 1958 in Cincinnati Ohio, United States is a former hockey player of dual American and Canadian The Atlanta Thrashers are a professional Ice hockey team based in Atlanta Georgia. The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America Retired Numbers #36 – When Nick Vitucci retired in 2004 Nick played in 14 ECHL Seasons his last 3 with the Greenville Grrrowl The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a Professional Ice hockey league based in Princeton New Jersey, with teams scattered The Mississippi Sea Wolves are a professional hockey team based in Biloxi Mississippi and playing in the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a Professional Ice hockey league based in Princeton New Jersey, with teams scattered Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) This article is about people called professionals For the Movie, see The Professional or Leon. Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice. Orlando is a major City in central Florida, USA and is the County seat of Orange County Florida. Amway Arena (formerly known as the Orlando Arena, TD Waterhouse Centre, and The Arena in Orlando, and colloquially known by the nickname of O-Rena

Contents

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

Franchise History

The Solar Bears started in 1995 and played in the International Hockey League until the league folded in 2001. The Turner Cup was the championship trophy of the International Hockey League 's annual playoffs The Detroit Vipers were an International Hockey League team The team was founded in 1994, and played at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 The International Hockey League (IHL was a minor Professional Ice hockey league in the United States and Canada from 1945 to 2001 Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. They were owned by the DeVos family, who also owned the Grand Rapids Griffins of the IHL and the Orlando Magic of the NBA. The Grand Rapids Griffins are a hockey team in the American Hockey League. The Orlando Magic is a professional Basketball team based in Orlando Florida. 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. This is about the defunct IHL/AHL team that folded in 2005 For the current ECHL team see Utah Grizzlies. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) The Houston Aeros are an Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) The Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League.

Several IHL teams were taken into the American Hockey League, but the Solar Bears were not among them. American Hockey Association (1926–1942The American Hockey League (AHL is a Professional Ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary The DeVos family could only bring one team into the AHL, and chose the Griffins because the Solar Bears had never drawn well despite their on-ice success. 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. The Turner Cup was the championship trophy of the International Hockey League 's annual playoffs The Hockey Hall of Fame ( Temple de la renommée du hockey in French) is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario 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 MVP. The Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. Norm Maracle (born October 2, 1974, in Belleville, Ontario) is a professional Ice hockey Goaltender who played in of that deciding playoff series 1999–2001. That Wolves team went on the win the Calder Cup in their first AHL season.

During its inaugural season, the Solar Bears starred center Alfie Turcotte, former first round pick of the Montreal Canadiens. Alfie Turcotte (born June 5, 1965 in Gary Indiana) is a former American Ice hockey player The Montreal Canadiens (Les Canadiens de Montréal are a professional Ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Other notable team members included: Hubie McDonough (New York Islanders), C. Hubie McDonough (born August 7, 1963, in Manchester, New Hampshire, U The New York Islanders are a professional Ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. ; Pat Neaton, D. ; Barry Dreger, D. ; Todd Richards, D. This article is about an ice hockey player and coach for the snowboarder see Todd Richards (snowboarder. ; Curtis Murphy, D. Curtis Murphy (born December 3, 1975, in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey defenceman ; Allan Bester, G. Allan Bester (born March 26, 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey Goaltender. ; Dave Barr. C. ; Mark Beaufait, F. Mark Beaufait (born May 13, 1970 in Royal Oak, Michigan) is a professional Ice hockey player currently playing for the Berlin ; Todd Krygier (Washington Capitals), F. Todd A Krygier (born October 12, 1965 in Chicago Heights Illinois) is a former American Ice hockey player For the BAA team see Washington Capitols. For the ABA team see Washington Caps. ; Kirby Law, F. Kirby Law (born March 11, 1977, in McCreary, Manitoba) is a professional Canadian Ice hockey player with the Minnesota Wild ; Mike Hartman, F. Mike Hartman (born February 7, 1967 in Detroit, Michigan) is a retired professional Ice hockey player ; Jason Blake, F. Jason Blake (born September 2, 1973 in Moorhead, Minnesota, U ; Zac Boyer, F. Zac Boyer (born October 25, 1971 in Inuvik Northwest Territories, Canada) is a former National Hockey League right winger ; Grigori Panteleev, F; Herbert Vasiljevs, F. Grigori Panteleev (born November 13, 1972 in Gastello, Soviet Union) is a former professional Ice hockey left winger. Herberts Vasiļjevs (born May 23, 1976 in Riga) is a Latvian Ice hockey player who plays as a center and right ; and Dan Snyder (Atlanta Thrashers), F. Dan Snyder (February 23 1978 - October 5 2003 was a professional Canadian Ice hockey player The Atlanta Thrashers are a professional Ice hockey team based in Atlanta Georgia.

Historic comeback from 0–3 deficit: In the 1999 Turner Cup Conference Finals, the Solar Bears completed the only successful comeback from a 0–3 deficit in the 56-year history of the International Hockey League. It came at the expense of the Detroit Vipers. In a thrilling Game 7, rookie Jason Blake scored twice in regulation and winger Todd Krygier got the game-winner 25 seconds into the second overtime, giving Orlando a 5–4 victory. Unfortunately for the Solar Bears, they lost in the finals, 4 games to 3, to the Houston Aeros. However, their comeback remains a shining example of team unity and pride not often seen at the minor league level where individuality all too often dominates.

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

IHL Awards and Trophies

Turner Cup

Eastern Conference Champions Trophy

James Norris Memorial Trophy (Best Goaltender - Statistical)

Commissioners' Trophy (Coach of the Year)

Ken McKenzie Trophy (American Born Rookie of the Year)

James Gatschene Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player)

N. The Utah Grizzlies are an Ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play in West Valley City Utah, USA at the E Center. The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati Ohio. The Detroit Vipers were an International Hockey League team The team was founded in 1994, and played at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Houston Aeros are an Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati Ohio. The Turner Cup was the championship trophy of the International Hockey League 's annual playoffs The Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. The Turner Cup was the championship trophy of the International Hockey League 's annual playoffs The James Norris Memorial Trophy was awarded annually by the International Hockey League to the Goaltender (s with the fewest goals allowed during the Norm Maracle (born October 2, 1974, in Belleville, Ontario) is a professional Ice hockey Goaltender who played in Scott Fankhouser (born July 1, 1975 in Bismarck North Dakota) is an American Ice hockey Goaltender, currently playing The Commissioner's Trophy was awarded annually by the International Hockey League to the Head coach who was judged to have contributed the most to his team's success Ken McKenzie Trophy (IHL|Ken McKenzie AwardThe Ken McKenzie Trophy is awarded annually to the Central Hockey League 's leading points scorer in the regular season Brian Felsner (born November 7 1972 in Mount Clemens, Michigan) is an American Ice hockey left winger currently playing for Eric Nickulas (born March 25, 1975 in Hyannis, Massachusetts, United States) is a Professional Ice hockey right Brian Pothier (born April 15 1977 in New Bedford, Massachusetts) is a professional Ice hockey player currently playing in the The James Gatschene Memorial Trophy was awarded annually to the International Hockey League player selected as most valuable through his display of outstanding playing Norm Maracle (born October 2, 1974, in Belleville, Ontario) is a professional Ice hockey Goaltender who played in R. Poile Trophy (Playoff MVP)

Garry F. Norm Maracle (born October 2, 1974, in Belleville, Ontario) is a professional Ice hockey Goaltender who played in Longman Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)

Comeback Player of the Year

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)

See also

List of Orlando Solar Bears players

Brian Pothier (born April 15 1977 in New Bedford, Massachusetts) is a professional Ice hockey player currently playing in the Kevin Smyth (born November 22, 1973 in Banff, Alberta) is a retired professional Ice hockey player who played 58 games in the Craig Fisher (born June 30, 1970 in Oshawa Ontario, Canada) is a retired professional Ice hockey player Mark Beaufait (born May 13, 1970 in Royal Oak, Michigan) is a professional Ice hockey player currently playing for the Berlin Craig Fisher (born June 30, 1970 in Oshawa Ontario, Canada) is a retired professional Ice hockey player Norm Maracle (born October 2, 1974, in Belleville, Ontario) is a professional Ice hockey Goaltender who played in Norm Maracle (born October 2, 1974, in Belleville, Ontario) is a professional Ice hockey Goaltender who played in This is a list of all the players in Orlando Solar Bears (IHL history to have played at least one game with the team
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