OSB: You played over a hundred games in Orlando, what is your favorite memory playing for the Solar Bears?
BC: My favorite memory is when we brought a Turner Cup Championship to Orlando. There was a lot of excitement. Beating Chicago… they beat us the year before, it was just a lot of fun. The community really rallied around us and the fan support we had throughout the year was great. I think it was a great boost for Orlando and when we brought that Cup back it was a lot of fun.
Faulty memory?
2000 ended in a playoff loss to the Cincinnati Cyclones, although Chicago did win the cup that year.
There is a certain logic where he is correct. In smaller leagues, like the IHL had become by that point, conferences don't matter so much, and it becomes anyone's championship. (except Detroit, the Vipers had become a shell of their former selves), btw, thank you Bill Davidson for that.
Solar Bears to Raise Turner Cup Championship Banner
Orlando, Fl. - the Orlando solar bears announced today that they will honor the 2001 (IHL) championship team by raising the turner cup championship banner during this year's out of hibernation season. The banner is scheduled to be raised during a special pre-game ceremony on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Amway center before the solar bears take on the Trenton Titans.
In 2001, the Orlando Solar Bears defeated the Chicago Wolves 5-1 in game 5 of the best of seven series to win the championship series 4 games to 1. The solar bears were the last IHL team to win the turner cup before the IHL ceased operations that summer.
"From 'day one' of our existence we have had every intention of honoring the past as we celebrate our future. This is unfinished business," stated solar bears managing partner Jason Siegel. "For the players and coaches, front office staff, Amway arena staff, and fans of the 2001 championship team this ceremony is long overdue and we are honored to play a small role in assuring it happens."
The banner raising pregame ceremony will include special appearances by members of the solar bears' championship team. Arrangements have been made with the hockey hall of fame in Toronto to have the turner cup on hand and the current solar bears team will wear commemorative throw-back jerseys that night. Fans in attendance on February 2 will take home commemorative mini-banners as a keep sake.
Finally, getting to see what we should've seen all those years ago. Can't wait to see how many players they can bring in. Seeing the Turner Cup being brought back to Orlando will bring back all those great memories.
A few more guys have been signed, and so I guess Berehowsky is functioning as the GM.
I've got concerns over the long term viability of that plan, but for right now, it's okay, as long as Berehowsky has the right personality to eventually let one of the positions go (either GM or HC) should the need show itself.
I'm a bit concerned over a potential lockouts effects on the Solar Bears first season back.
I know the hardcore will be there, and possibly get an attendance boost from Tampa Bay fans, but to gen pop. the last lockout was interpreted as meaning 'hockey's gone', and that's a message that I hope doesn't infect Orlandidiots should the unthinkable occur.
Saturday, Sept. 29: Players report
Sunday, Sept. 30: Player physicals
Monday, Oct. 1: Practice 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 2: Practice 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 3: Practice 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 4: Practice 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 5: Pre-Season Game - Estero, FL 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 6: Pre-Season Game - Estero, FL 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 7: Day Off
Monday, Oct. 8: Practice 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 9: Practice 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 10: Practice 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 11: Practice 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Forwards:
Kevin Baker
Thomas Beauregard
Derrick Burnett
Ryan Cruthers
Ron Cramer
T.J. Fox
Alexandre Imbeault
Gary Klapkowski
Jordan Lane
David Lun
Brett Lyon
Samson Mahbod
Mathieu Melanson
Matthew Panzo
Darick Ste-Marie
Brad Townsend
Ian Watters
Defensemen:
Dennis Blair
Simon Danis-Pepin
Brad Good
Michael Jordan
Edward Levens
Derick Martin
Michael Wilson
Ben Woodley
Goaltenders:
Drew Palmisano
Brooks Ostergard
Looking over their group of players, there's a lot of junk players attending, like guys who didn't make it in the FHL. I suppose those will be the spots filled through affiliation.
Almost everyone coming straight out of juniors seems to have a chance though.
Last edited by Felonious Python: 10-04-2012 at 08:56 AM.
The Orlando Solar Bears announced today that they have released 13 players from their roster.
The list of released players includes forwards Ron Cramer, Jordan Lane, David Lun, Samson Mahbod, Matthew Panzo, Darick Ste-Marie and Brad Townsend, defensemen Brad Good, Chris Haltigin, Michael Jordan, Edward Levens and Ben Woodley, and goaltender Drew Palmisano.
Berehowsky went on to say they're getting 5 more guys sent down on Monday. Based on that they cut the other goalie in camp, we can assume one of them will be that.
So 10 out of the 18 to 20 guys on the roster will be from affiliation.
ORLANDO ACQUIRES ENGELAGE
Goaltender Joins Team in Exchange for Future Considerations
Orlando, FL - The Orlando Solar Bears announced today that they have acquired goaltender Andrew Engelage from the Utah Grizzlies in exchange for future considerations.
In: Matthew Sisca from Cincinnati for Mr. Considerations it seems as well, as I don't see any mixup in the tryout roster.
They cut Michael Jordan, but it just occurred to me; Simon Danis-Pepin
Pepin and Jordan.
I also got to thinking about the subtitle of this thread, and Ready to Go.
The interesting thing is that Republica officially released Ready to Go (2010 version) I think it'd be appropriate for the new incarnation of OSB to use this new version, as the original US version of the song is so ingrained in what was the original team's playlist.
It'd be a bit of a pleasant suprise for old season ticket holders on opening night to hear the beginning of a song that we heard a million times, just to have it go another direction.
Last edited by Felonious Python: 10-09-2012 at 08:54 PM.
I just went through part of my hockey card collection, and turned up 35 Ray Sheppard cards from when he was with Detroit.
Update: Also found 6 more of him in NYR garb. = 41 accounted for
I don't doubt I've got more of him, hell, I've still got a largely unopened box of 91-92 O-Pee-Chees. (lol, I just noticed that 2/6 NYR cards are 91-92 OPCs)
Ooh, one of the cards has a Mike Milbury scouting report.
Let's see what he has to say:
"Stengths - Scoring touch, Consistency, Accuracy
Last season's recap
Sheppard was a key contributor to the Red Wings' supurb 1994-95 regular season. He notched 30 goals in 43 games (lockout, yay), tied for third in the NHL. He totaled 40 points.
Next season's outlook
Look for another productive season, but Wings may look to deal him for a speedy winger or a younger defenseman."
Mad Mike wasn't off the mark. Sheppard did get traded early on to San Jose for Igor Larionov.
(If this post went over your head, Sheppard was hired as special asst. to Drake Berehowsky)
Anyone going to watch training camp today? (10am-noon?)
Last edited by Felonious Python: 10-10-2012 at 07:16 AM.
So...Solar Bears...you want to tell us who that second goalie is, or do I have to make wild assumptions about Mike Brodeur's eagerness to play here?
Ok, they said they signed John Curry. I'll be watching training camp tomorrow as well, so tell him not to suck as much. Maybe try stopping a few of those pucks.
and yes, to relieve you all of having one person post in a thread, I will start a Solar Blog to go over what I see in games and so on.
nothing on it yet, but here's the address: orlandosolarblog.blogspot.com
Last edited by Felonious Python: 10-10-2012 at 07:53 PM.
I just went through part of my hockey card collection, and turned up 35 Ray Sheppard cards from when he was with Detroit.
Update: Also found 6 more of him in NYR garb. = 41 accounted for
I don't doubt I've got more of him, hell, I've still got a largely unopened box of 91-92 O-Pee-Chees. (lol, I just noticed that 2/6 NYR cards are 91-92 OPCs)
Ooh, one of the cards has a Mike Milbury scouting report.
Let's see what he has to say:
"Stengths - Scoring touch, Consistency, Accuracy
Last season's recap
Sheppard was a key contributor to the Red Wings' supurb 1994-95 regular season. He notched 30 goals in 43 games (lockout, yay), tied for third in the NHL. He totaled 40 points.
Next season's outlook
Look for another productive season, but Wings may look to deal him for a speedy winger or a younger defenseman."
Mad Mike wasn't off the mark. Sheppard did get traded early on to San Jose for Igor Larionov.
(If this post went over your head, Sheppard was hired as special asst. to Drake Berehowsky)
Anyone going to watch training camp today? (10am-noon?)
I was there for a little bit yesterday and did notice the second goalie, I thought it was Brodeur also. I'm still puzzled by the fact that he hasn't been added to the roster.
Gomez was only skating with them to get some ice time. He wasn't going to play for the Aces again this lockout. I forget when and where he said it but it was solely to get some ice time.
