Want your name, logo or link here ? Sponsor this profile.

Orlando Solar Bears (IHL)

Year of foundation: 1994
Colours: Solar purple, seafoam green, sunset orange, white
Club status: ceased (Ceased in 2001)

Did you find any incorrect or incomplete information? Please, let us know.

Select league

All time leagues: IHL

Season 1996-1997

This club in 1996-1997: IHL

Pos	Player name	Born	Height	Weight	Shoots
RD	Mark Astley	30.03.1969	185 cm	88 kg	left	Show profile»
D	Mark Ferner	05.09.1965	185 cm	93 kg	left	Show profile»
D	Martin Hamrlik	06.05.1973	178 cm	95 kg	right	Show profile»
D	Scott Malone	16.01.1971	185 cm	92 kg	left	Show profile»
RD	Kris Miller	30.03.1969	182 cm	95 kg	left	Show profile»
D	Patrick Neaton	21.05.1971	180 cm	93 kg	left	Show profile»
D	Todd Richards	20.10.1966	180 cm	87 kg	right	Show profile»
RW	Dave Barr	30.11.1960	185 cm	88 kg	right	Show profile»
C	Mark Beaufait	13.05.1970	175 cm	77 kg	right	Show profile»
RW	Zac Boyer	25.10.1971	183 cm	87 kg	right	Show profile»
C	Shawn Carter	16.04.1973	185 cm	95 kg	left	Show profile»
C	Kelly Fairchild	09.04.1973	181 cm	90 kg	left	Show profile»
LW	Brian Felsner	07.11.1972	185 cm	88 kg	left	Show profile»
RW	Joe Frederick	18.06.1969	182 cm	90 kg	right	Show profile»
LW	Robert Joyce	11.07.1966	186 cm	87 kg	left	Show profile»
F	Clayton Norris	03.08.1972	188 cm	93 kg	right	Show profile»
C	Trevor Sim	09.06.1970	189 cm	87 kg	left	Show profile»
C	Dave Smith	21.11.1968	183 cm	86 kg	left	Show profile»
F	Doug Torrel	29.04.1969	188 cm	90 kg	right	Show profile»
C	Alfie Turcotte	05.01.1965	- cm	- kg	left	Show profile»

Coach name	Born	Coach position
Don Waddell	19.08.1958	GM	Show profile»
Curt Fraser	12.01.1958	Head Coach	Show profile»
Dave Barr	30.11.1960	Playing coach	Show profile»
Peter Horachek	26.01.1960	Assistant Coach	Show profile»

* no longer in the club

History
Achievements

The Solar Bears started in 1995 and played in the International Hockey League (IHL) until the league folded in 2001. They were owned by the DeVos family, who also owned the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Kansas City Blades of the IHL and the Orlando Magic of the NBA. 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.

Several IHL teams were taken into the American Hockey League, but the Solar Bears were not among them. 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 succe

League winners:

2000-2001: IHL

Team statistics

Historic rosters:

Historic statistics:

Past results:

League standings:

Fast factsseason 1996-1997

Youngest player: Martin Hamrlik (24 years)
Oldest player: Dave Barr (36 years)
Shortest player: Mark Beaufait (175 cm)
Tallest player: Trevor Sim (189 cm)
Nationalities: Canada (8), Czechia (1), USA (11)

Leagues

Orlando Solar Bears (IHL) participates in season 1996-1997: IHL

Luleå Swedish champions

Luleå wins their second title in Sweden, 29 years after the first one. Read more»

How Predators and Penguins Prepare for Stockholm Without Derailing Their Seasons

The Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins will face off in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 14 and 16, 2025, as part of the NHL Global Series. These games at the renovated Avicii Arena mark the 47th and 48th NHL contests held in ... Read more»