Solar Bears 2016-17 Opening Night Set for Saturday, Oct. 22

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, have announced the preliminary draft of their schedule for the 2016-17 season, Orlando’s fifth in the ECHL. The Solar Bears will open the season on home ice on Saturday, Oct. 22 against the Florida Everblades at the Amway Center. The final 2016-17 Solar Bears schedule will be available shortly after the NBA schedule is released. 

For the full 2016-17 Solar Bears schedule, click here.ALL GAME DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Orlando’s 36-game regular season home schedule currently features four games in October, nine games in November, five games in December, five games in January, eight games in February, four games in March and one game in April. The current home schedule also includes two 10-game homestands (Nov. 11 through Dec. 2 and Feb. 17 through Mar. 11), which represent the longest stretch on home ice for Orlando in team history.

The Solar Bears will face South Division rivals the Atlanta Gladiators nine times (five home, four road), Florida Everblades 14 times (seven home, seven road), Greenville Swamp Rabbits 13 times (seven home, six road) and South Carolina Stingrays eight times (four home, four road).

The Solar Bears will also welcome three new opponents to the Amway Center for the first time next season, as Orlando will host the Allen Americans, Brampton Beast and Missouri Mavericks. The Americans are the defending Kelly Cup Champions, while the Mavericks captured the 2015-16 Henry Brabham Cup as the ECHL’s regular-season point champion. Orlando will also face the Alaska Aces for the first time when they travel to Anchorage for a three-game set against the three-time Kelly Cup Champions at Sullivan Arena in mid-January.

Solar Bears home games played Monday through Saturday will start at 7 p.m. while Sunday games will start at 6 p.m.

On sale dates for the purchase of single-game tickets will be announced later this summer. Full and half-season ticket plans are now available by visiting OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.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.