February 11, 2016

SPARKS REASSIGNED FROM SOLAR BEARS TO MARLIES, SCHWARTZ INKS PTO WITH AHL AFFILIATE

Netminder Earned Win for Orlando on Feb. 10 at Florida, Schwartz Heads to AHL Toronto for Second Time This Season

(Sparks Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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 from the Solar Bears to the Marlies by the Maple Leafs, while forward Rylan Schwartz has signed a Professional Try-Out Agreement with Orlando’s AHL affiliate.

Sparks, 22, was reassigned to the Solar Bears by the Maple Leafs earlier this week, and made 25 saves in his lone appearance with Orlando on Feb. 10 in a 4-1 win at Florida. He 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.

Schwartz, 26, has posted 19 points (10g-9a) and 10 penalty minutes in 17 games with the Solar Bears. The forward joins the Marlies for the second time this season having already contributed one goal in two games played with Toronto.

The Solar Bears continue their fourth season in the ECHL, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A., when they host the Atlanta Gladiators on Friday, Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Amway Center.

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.