March 16, 2016

CEPIS, SLATER RETURN FOR SOLAR BEARSCELEBRITY CLASSIC

Game Scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 19 at 3:30 p.m.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, are pleased to announce the fourth annual Solar Bears Celebrity Classic hockey game scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 19 at 3:30 p.m. at the Amway Center, is sold out, as 36 local players have signed up to participate.

This year’s Celebrity Classic will feature four former Solar Bears players: forwards Jacob Cepis and Ian Slater and defenseman Eddie Levens will suit up in the Celebrity Classic, while goaltender Allan Bester will serve as a coach during the game.

Cepis, 28, announced his retirement from professional hockey last July, ending his playing career as the all-time leading scorer for the Solar Bears ECHL franchise with 112 points (35g-77a) in 107 regular season games. The forward was named “Team MVP” and “First Star of the Year” for the Solar Bears in the 2013-14 campaign after leading the team with 36 assists and finishing second on the team with 56 points.

Slater, 27, suited up for Orlando during the 2013-14 season, recording 14 points (4g-10a) and 155 penalty minutes in 51 games. The Satellite Beach native grew up playing his youth hockey at the nearby Space Coast Ice Plex in Rockledge.

Levens, 29, joined the Solar Bears during the 2012-13 Out of Hibernation season as one of two players invited to training camp from an initial open try-out. In 36 games with Orlando, the defenseman posted one goal and three assists along with 51 penalty minutes.

Bester, 51, was a member of the inaugural Solar Bears during the 1995-96 International Hockey League season, guiding the team in net to the Turner Cup Finals. Over the course of three seasons, Bester compiled an 82-37-6 record in 138 appearances with Orlando, concluding his career during the 1997-98 season. During his playing career, Bester also suited up in 219 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars.

Cepis, Slater, Levens and Bester will be available for media interviews following the conclusion of the Celebrity Classic. Cepis and Slater will both be available to sign autographs for fans during the second intermission of that evening’s Solar Bears game at 7:00 p.m. against the Adirondack Thunder.

Fans wishing to attend the Celebrity Classic are advised to follow the instructions below:

1. You may park in the Geico Garage on South Street across from the Amway Center after 12:00pm. PARKING AT THE GEICO GARAGE IS $15 PER CAR. There are also several other parking options around the Amway Center.
2. The Amway Center box office will open Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. for fans that need to purchase additional tickets.
3. Fans can enter at the Administrative Entrance of the building (at the corner of Church Street and Hughey Ave, next to the Magic Team Shop) after 2:30 p.m. All fans must have a valid ticket for the Solar Bears game at 7:00 p.m. to enter.
4. Once you have presented your ticket, you will be escorted to the elevators in the Disney Atrium, which will take you to the Terrace Level. General admission seating will be available in Sections 113, 114, 115, and 116 for the charity game.
5. At approximately 3:00 p.m., teams will take the ice for warmups and pictures, player introductions, and pregame ceremonies will take place on the ice beginning at 3:15 pm. The puck will drop for the Celebrity Classic game at 3:30 p.m.
6. There will be no concessions to purchase food and beverage on the concourse throughout the charity game - please take this into consideration before arriving at the Amway Center.
7. After the Celebrity Classic game concludes, we will clear the Amway Center to prepare for the Solar Bears game that evening.
8. Doors for the Solar Bears game will reopen to the public at 6:00 p.m., and the Solar Bears game will begin at 7:00 p.m.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Solar Bears at (407) 951-8200.

The Solar Bears continue their fourth season in the ECHL, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A., when they host the Adirondack Thunder for the first time at the Amway Center on Thursday, Mar. 17 at 7:00 p.m.

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.