Solar Bears swap with Gladiators, Nailers

Orlando acquires goalie Jay Williams from Atlanta for Connor Gaarder, sends future considerations to Wheeling for forward Milos Bubela

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Orlando Solar Bears have announced that the club has made a pair of trades Thursday, as the team has acquired rookie goaltender Jay Williams from the Atlanta Gladiators in exchange for rookie forward Connor Gaarder, while Orlando has also received rookie forward Milos Bubela from the Wheeling Nailers in exchange for future considerations.

Williams, 23, had appeared in five games with Atlanta this season, sporting at 1-2-1 record with a 3.09 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. The rookie netminder had originally been part of Orlando’s training camp roster, and suited up in the Solar Bears Oct. 8 preseason game at Florida.

Prior to turning pro, Williams completed a four-year collegiate career in 2015-16 with Miami University (Ohio), where the 6-foot-2, 187-pound netminder posted a record of 46-29-4 with a 2.37 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage and nine shutouts. During the 2014-15 campaign, he helped backstop the program to a NCHC conference title. While at Miami he was a teammate of current Solar Bears rookie forward Alex Gacek.

Bubela (boo-BELL-uh), 24, had recorded four points (1g-3a) and six penalty minutes in 16 games with the Nailers this season. He also suited up with the Utica Comets for eight games at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, where he logged one assist and two penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, the native of Banska Bystrica, Slovakia played four seasons of collegiate hockey for Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was a teammate of current Solar Bears rookie defenseman Chris Bradley, and posted 63 points (33g-30a) and 155 penalty minutes in 139 games. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward also played one season of junior hockey with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL, where he scored 18 points (5g-13a) and six penalty minutes in 29 games.

The forward represented his homeland at the 2012 IIHF U20 World Junior Championships in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, helping Slovakia reach the Quarterfinals with five points (2g-3a) and four penalty minutes in six tournament games.

The Orlando Solar Bears continue their fifth season of ECHL hockey when they play the Alaska Aces on Friday, Jan. 13 at 11:15 p.m. ET at Sullivan Arena.

Single-game tickets are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com. Full and half-season ticket plans are now available by visiting OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com.

The Solar Bears have released a brand-new mobile app, presented by BB&T, giving Solar Bears fans everything they need right in their pocket. The app is also home to the brand-new Loyalty & Rewards Program, which provides Solar Bears fans with opportunities to accumulate points and redeem them for exclusive prizes. The new app is FREE and available for both iOS and Android devices.

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

Follow the Solar Bears at 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 orlandosolarbearshockey.com/groups.

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