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Affiliations & Alumni

The Solar Bears have been affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL since prior to the 2018-19 season. The affiliation was extended for an additional two seasons on June 22, 2026 following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. 

Entering the 2026-27 season, the Solar Bears have received 25 players under NHL contract to Tampa Bay since the beginning of the affiliation, along with 11 additional players under American Hockey League contracts with the Syracuse Crunch. Furthermore, 12 Solar Bears players have received AHL Professional Tryout Agreements from Syracuse, while seven players have earned AHL contracts with the Crunch.

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NHL AFFILIATE: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Founded: 1992
General Manager: Julien BriseBois
Head Coach: Jon Cooper
Arena: Benchmark International Arena
Stanley Cups: 3 — 2004; 2020; 2021

NHL ALUMNI DEVELOPED IN ORLANDO

PLAYERPOSITIONNHL TEAMSSEASONS IN ORLANDONHL DEBUT
Darcy Kuemper*GoaltenderMIN, LAK, ARI, COL, WSH, LAK2012-13Feb. 12, 2013
Garret SparksGoaltenderTOR, VGK, LAK2013-16; 2020-21Nov. 30, 2015
Christopher GibsonGoaltenderNYI, TB2013-14Jan. 2, 2016
Mike LiambasForwardNSH, ANA2012-13Dec. 3, 2016
Jack RodewaldForwardOTT2015-16Oct. 27, 2017
Kasimir KaskisuoGoaltenderTOR, NSH2016-18Nov. 16, 2019
Mason MarchmentForwardTOR, FLA, DAL, SEA, CBJ2016-17Jan. 2, 2020
Connor IngramGoaltenderNSH, ARZ, UTA, EDM2018-19Oct. 24, 2021
Zach FucaleGoaltenderWSH2019-20Nov. 11, 2021
Hugo AlnefeltGoaltenderTB2021-22Dec. 30, 2021
Tye FelhaberForwardCOL2021-22Dec. 16, 2024
Brandon HalversonGoaltenderTB2023-242nd NHL game - Mar. 22, 2025
Colten EllisGoaltenderBUF2025-26Oct. 22, 2025

 

 

 

NHL AFFILIATE HISTORY

NHL CLUBSEASONS AFFILIATED
Minnesota Wild2012-14
Toronto Maple Leafs2013-18
Tampa Bay Lightning2018-Present
Renewal by Andersen
AdventHealth
Kia
Publix
DeWitt Law