Solar Bears add NHL-experienced goaltender Matt Hackett

Orlando gains netminder with over 100 career pro wins

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have announced that the club has agreed to terms with goaltender Matt Hackett for the 2017-18 season.

“We’re excited to add a goalie of Matt’s caliber and experience this season,” Solar Bears head coach Drake Berehowsky said. “He was a fan favorite in the AHL with San Diego the last two seasons for a reason – he wants the net and does whatever it takes to stop the puck.”

Hackett, 27, spent the last two campaigns on an NHL contract with the Anaheim Ducks, and suited up for the AHL’s San Diego Gulls last season, where he went 2-3-0 in seven appearances with a 3.35 goals-against average, a .898 save percentage and one shutout before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in December.

During the 2015-16 campaign, Hackett went 10-7-2 for the Gulls with a 3.03 goals-against average, a .895 save percentage and one shutout in 22 appearances during the regular season. The goaltender starred for San Diego when he was pressed into duty during the opening round of the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs and helped his club win its first-ever playoff series before ultimately bowing out in the division finals. Hackett also got into two games for the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies in 2015-16, going 2-0-0 with a 1.89 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.

The 6-foot-2, 179-pound netminder has 26 games of NHL experience with the Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres, registering a .906 save percentage.

Hackett has appeared in 208 combined games at the AHL level with the Gulls, Rochester Americans and Houston Aeros, posting a record of 96-82-21 with a 2.63 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage and five shutouts. As a rookie with Houston in the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs, Hackett went 14-10 with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage to lead the Aeros all the way to the Calder Cup Finals, where Houston eventually fell to the Binghamton Senators.

“I’m very excited to join Orlando this season and contend for a championship and prove that I’ve recovered from my injuries,” Hackett said. “The coaching staff really made my choice easy, and with the roster that has been assembled, it was a very clear choice for me.”

Prior to turning pro, the native of London, Ontario played four seasons of major junior hockey with the Windsor Spitfires and Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League, where he appeared in 140 career games and compiled a record of 74-48-9 with a 3.06 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and six shutouts.

Hackett was a third-round selection (#77 overall) of the Minnesota Wild in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

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.