Donaghey, Windsor invited to Lightning training camp

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have announced that defenseman Cody Donaghey and goaltender Clint Windsor have received invites to join the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of the team’s 62-man roster for 2019 training camp, which opens at AMALIE Arena on Thursday, Sept. 12. Both Donaghey and Windsor were also invitees of the Lightning at the 2019 NHL Prospect Showcase earlier this month in Antioch, Tennessee.

The Solar Bears are entering the second season of a three-year affiliation agreement as the ECHL affiliate of the Lightning.

Donaghey, 23, previously agreed to terms with the Solar Bears on Aug. 23. During the 2018-19 season, the St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador native was assigned to the club while under contract with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. The blueliner skated in 64 regular season games with Orlando, producing 43 points (15g-28a) and 76 penalty minutes.

Windsor, 25, previously agreed to terms with the Solar Bears on June 26. During the 2018-19 campaign, Windsor posted a 4-2-1 record with a 2.48 goals-against average and a save percentage of .926. The Hamilton, Ontario native was also an invitee to Tampa Bay’s development camp in June.

Also in attendance at Lightning training camp are forwards Alexey Lipanov and Otto Somppi and defensemen Oleg Sosunov and Matthew Spencer – Lightning prospects who were reassigned to the Solar Bears for portions of the 2018-19 season.

In addition, former Solar Bears defenseman Nolan Valleau has received a training camp invite from Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old blueliner began last season with Orlando before receiving a tryout offer from the American Hockey League affiliate of the Lightning, the Syracuse Crunch, before eventually earning an AHL contract with Syracuse on Dec. 6. Valleau's contract also included a club option for the 2019-20 season that was picked up by Syracuse on Sept. 6.

The Lightning's annual Fan Fest, presented by Florida Blue, will still be held on Sunday, September 15 at AMALIE Arena, with doors opening at 11 a.m. to the general public and 8:30 a.m. for Season Ticket Members. The event is free and open to the public, but fans must obtain a mobile ticket by visiting TampaBayLightning.com/LightningLaunchWeekend.

Opening Night is Oct. 12:

The Orlando Solar Bears open their eighth season of ECHL hockey against the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Opening Night tickets are on sale via the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster  – CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO OPENING NIGHT.

2019-20 Season Ticket Memberships on Sale Now:

Upgrade to Solar Status and become a Season Ticket Member today. Season ticket memberships for the 2019-20 season are now on sale and start as little as $270 – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

2019-20 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The 2019-20 Orlando Solar Bears season is presented by XYMOPrint, Orlando’s digital printing experts. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2021 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 15% off their first order and a free Orlando Solar Bears poster!

About the Orlando Solar Bears:

The Orlando Solar Bears are the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. In seven seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs five times. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.