ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have agreed to terms with defenseman Nolan Valleau for the 2017-18 season.
“Nolan is a young defenseman with two seasons of AHL experience already under his belt,” Solar Bears head coach Drake Berehowsky said. “He has some size and offensive skill, and I expect his game to translate well to the ECHL.”
Valleau (vah-LOO), 24, joins the Solar Bears for his third season of pro hockey after spending the previous two seasons under contract with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks while playing for Chicago’s AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.
The 6-foot-1, 172-pound blueliner notched eight points (3g-5a) and 14 penalty minutes in 46 games for Rockford last season, and tallied 12 points (1g-11a) and 20 penalty minutes in 62 games during his 2015-16 rookie campaign.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things about Orlando and the coaching staff there, and after talking with them this summer I knew it would be a good fit,” Valleau said. “I’m excited for this season to start and be a part of this great organization.”
Prior to turning pro, Valleau played one season of college hockey as a redshirt freshman at Bowling Green State University, where the Novi, Mich. native was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team following a 19-point (2g-17a) and 35 penalty minute performance over 39 games.
Valleau also played junior hockey for the Des Moines Buccaneers and Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, where he put up totals of 26 points (8g-18a) in 64 games during the 2012-13 season. Prior to that, he posted 31 points (6g-25a) and 52 penalty minutes in 53 games with the North American Hockey League’s Port Huron Fighting Falcons and New Mexico Mustangs.
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.
Full Season Ticket Memberships for the 2017-18 season are on sale now. Purchase an Orlando Solar Bears Full Season Ticket Membership for as little as $440 today! Click here or call (407) 951-8200 for more information.
Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased online at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.
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