Solar Bears Bring Back Max Nicastro

Hard-hitting defenseman returns for third season in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Solar Bears, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, have announced that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Max Nicastro for the 2016-17 season.

“Max is a physical, two-way defenseman who is well-liked within our locker room,” Solar Bears head coach Anthony Noreen said. “He’s got an edge to his game which we value and he is a threat to score every time he shoots the puck.”

Nicastro, 26, began the 2015-16 season with the Solar Bears while under contract with the Toronto Marlies before being reassigned to the Rapid City Rush on March 10. Nicastro finished the year with 19 points (9g-10a) and 27 penalty minutes in 64 total games. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound blueliner is preparing for his third season in Orlando, where he has accumulated 27 points (15g-12a) and 46 penalty minutes in 82 career games.

“Orlando has become like a second home and the Solar Bears are like a second family for me,” Nicastro said. “We’ve got all of the resources to be a great team, and I’m looking forward to help get the job done.”

Nicastro has played in 214 professional games with Orlando, Rapid City, Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL), Toledo Walleye and HC Banksa Bystrica (Slovakia), logging 66 points (21g-45a) and 116 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, the Thousand Oaks, Calif. native played three seasons of college hockey at Boston University, where he amassed 33 points (11g-22a) and 117 penalty minutes in 102 games for the Terriers. Before that, he played junior hockey for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, totaling 51 points (15g-36a) and 162 penalty minutes in 115 games.

Nicastro was a third round selection of the Detroit Red Wings (91st overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Fans can keep track of all Solar Bears offseason player movement by visiting the 2016 Offseason Headquarters.

The Solar Bears drop the puck on their fifth season of ECHL hockey on Saturday, Oct. 22 against the Florida Everblades at the Amway Center. 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 SolarBearsHockey.

Season tickets, Corporate Flex vouchers, and Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on all of the Solar Bears ticket packages, 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, .