Maple Leafs reassign goalie Garret Sparks to Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, have announced that goaltender Garret Sparks has been reassigned to the team from the Marlies by the Maple Leafs.

Sparks, 22, has dressed in 16 games with the Marlies this season, going 10-3-3 while sporting a 2.49 goals-against average, a .922 save percentage and three shutouts. In five appearances this season with the Maple Leafs, Sparks has gone 3-1-0 with a 2.58 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage and one shutout. He became the second player in ECHL Solar Bears history to make his NHL debut after developing in Orlando on Nov. 30, 2015, making 24 saves as the Maple Leafs defeated the Edmonton Oilers 3-0. Sparks became the first goaltender in Maple Leafs history to record a shutout in his NHL debut.

Over the course of two seasons with the Solar Bears from 2013-15, Sparks appeared in 46 games for Orlando, going 25-13-3 with a 2.45 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage and six shutouts. The native of Elmhurst, Ill. was originally drafted by the Maple Leafs in the seventh round (#190 overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

The Solar Bears continue their fourth season in the ECHL, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A., when they face the Florida Everblades in a Wawa Sunshine Cup Series game on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena. Fans can listen to the game via iHeartSolarBears.com or watch via ECHL.TV.

for the Solar Bears 2015-16 promotional and events calendar.

Single-game tickets for the 2015-16 season are on sale now and can be purchased for as little as $15 at the Amway Center Box Office or online at OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com or Ticketmaster.com.

The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, play all of their home games at the Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

Follow the Solar Bears at www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com, Facebook, and Twitter (@OrlandoHockey) for all the latest news and updates. Stay in touch with Shades on Instagram by following ShadestheSolarBear.

Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call 407-951-8200 or visit www.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/groups.

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

To read the Solar Bears Report to the Community, click here.