SOLAR BEARS TO BID ON 2015 ECHL ALL-STAR GAME

Nick Petersen Selected as First Solar Bears All-StarRepresentative

for 2013 Game in Colorado

Orlando, FL - On January 22 and 23, the Colorado Eagles andLoveland, Colorado, will host the 2013 ECHL All-Star Gameand ECHL mid-season meetings. During those League meetings,the ownership group for the Orlando Solar Bears hasannounced that they will notify the ECHL Board of Governorsthat they will submit a bid this summer to host the 2015ECHL All-Star Game during the League's 27th season."Orlando's ownership and staff has done a tremendous job inthe team's first season, averaging over 6,500 fans per gameto rank third in the ECHL. The League looks forward toreceiving the Solar Bears' bid to bring our showcase eventto Central Florida in 2015," said ECHL Commissioner BrianMcKenna."With an award winning facility and the tremendous supportof our local community, season ticket holders, corporatesponsors and growing fan base here in Orlando, we will makea compelling bid to host one of our League signatureevents, the 2015 All-Star Game," said team President andAlternate Governor, Jason Siegel. "We will spend the nextthree months assembling a group of community leaders andpartners to help us present what we believe will be awinning bid to the ECHL Board of Governors in June.""We built the award-winning Amway Center to host nationaland international events with a vast array of fan amenitieswhich makes Orlando the ideal place to host the 2015 ECHLAll-Star Game," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.  "Injust their first season, the Orlando Solar Bears havealready become an integral part of our city and hosting theECHL All-Star game would be good for the Solar Bears andall of Central Florida."

"The prospect of hosting the 2015 ECHL All-Star Game atAmway Center would be a landmark achievement and source ofmuch community pride," said Orlando Venues ExecutiveDirector Allen Johnson. "The Orlando Solar Bears inauguralseason has already delivered tons of excitement so an eventof this magnitude would undoubtedly be thrilling forall.""What a tremendous opportunity to showcase the Amway Centerand Central Florida to hockey fans throughout the countryas we continue to draw more and more fans to downtownOrlando,"  said Solar Bears COO, Bob Ohrablo.

Nick Petersen becomes the first player in SolarBears history to be selected to the ECHL All-StarGame

The Wakefield, Quebec, native hasplayed in 22 games for Orlando this season, scoring 12 goalsand adding 14 assists for 26 points. Petersen notched the firsthat  trick for the Solar Bears against the South CarolinaStingrays on October 25, and leads Orlando in goals while beingtied for first in points. He is currently on recall to theHouston Aeros of the American Hockey League, where he hasscored one goal and added one assist in six games.

The ECHL All-Star GameMore than 50 players from the ECHL All-Star Game have gone onto play in the National Hockey League, including 39 since 2002when the lineups began having players who coaches felt wereprospects to move up to a higher level. The game has beenavailable on the NHL Network the last nine years as well asbeing broadcast on multiple regional networks. The audiobroadcast has been carried on XM Satellite Radio as well asbeing available in all ECHL markets.The past nine ECHL All-Star Games have generated more than $1million each for the local economy as guests, players, coachesand fans occupy hundreds of hotel rooms and spend three days inthe host city.   The game has been available on theNHL Network the last nine years as well as being broadcast onmultiple regional networks. The audio broadcast has beencarried on XM Satellite Radio as well as being available in allECHL markets.The ECHL is currently in the middle of its 25th season of play,and is the third longest tenured professional hockey leaguebehind on the American Hockey League (AHL) and National HockeyLeague (NHL). The league has seen 298 players reach the NHLsince 2003, when it changed its focus to become the primarydevelopmental league for the NHL and AHL. The league had arecord 81 former players on NHL opening-day rosters in 2011-12,and was represented for the 12th season in a row on the StanleyCup in 2012 with Los Angeles Kings players Dwight King, JordanNolan, and Jonathan Quick. Quick would also win the Conn SmythTrophy for playoff MVP, becoming the second-straight formerECHL player to win that award (Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins wonthe award in 2011).The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL'sMinnesota Wild and AHL's Houston Aeros, play all of their homegames at the 2012 Street and Smith's Sports BusinessJournal Sports Facility of the Year, the AmwayCenter.Individual tickets for all regular season home games are onsale beginning as low as $15. To purchase your tickets, pleasevisit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com or the AmwayCenter Box Office.Follow the Solar Bears at www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com, Facebook, and Twitter (@OrlandoHockey) forall the latest news and updates.Season ticket plans are available now. Pro-rated full-seasonand half season ticket plans range in price from $225-$925 perseason ticket (includes facility fee), reflecting a savings ofup to 42% off box office pricing. For more information call theSolar Bears at 407-951-8200 to speak to a Ticket Sales AccountManager.Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees,co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more informationon discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call407-951-8200 or click here.Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys,apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at: http://shop.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/