Solar Bears sign 2017 Kelly Cup champion Darryl Bootland

Forward a veteran of nearly 900 pro games, three “AA” championships

Photo credit: Standout Imagery

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have agreed to terms with veteran forward Darryl Bootland for the 2017-18 season.

“Darryl brings years of experience to our locker room,” Solar Bears head coach Drake Berehowsky said. “He is going to be someone who sticks up for his teammates and will keep our opponents in line, but is capable of producing on the scoresheet as well.”

Bootland, 35, joins Orlando after capturing the Kelly Cup last season with the Colorado Eagles, where he recorded 22 points (10g-12a) and 229 penalty minutes in 55 regular season contests while serving as alternate captain, and added one goal and 30 penalty minutes in 18 playoff games as the Eagles claimed their first ECHL title.

The Kelly Cup victory marked the third championship for Bootland at the “AA” level, as the Schomberg, Ontario native previously won back-to-back Central Hockey League Ray Miron President’s Cups with the Allen Americans from 2013-14.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound winger has produced 493 points (235g-258a) and 3,423 penalty minutes in 896 career professional games. 32 of those contests came in the NHL, as Bootland suited up for the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders, registering a combined three points (1g-2a) and 85 penalty minutes.

Bootland’s ECHL career totals are 199 points (94g-105a) and 1,322 penalty minutes in 308 matches with Colorado, the Kalamazoo Wings and Toledo Storm. While with Colorado, Bootland was teammates with current Solar Bears players Sean Zimmerman and Sam Jardine.

“While it was a tough decision to leave Colorado, it was an easy decision to come to Orlando – to see Coach Berehowsky come in last season and turn things around left a strong impression on me,” Bootland said. “ John Snowden and I also played together, and I can’t wait to work with both of them – they have the championship mindset that I love to play for, not to mention having one of my best friends in Sean Zimmerman in the locker room was a huge plus. It’s going to be a fun year of hockey in the Sunshine State.”

Additionally, Bootland has played in 382 American Hockey League games with the Manitoba Moose, Portland Pirates, Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Grand Rapids Griffins, notching 168 points (82g-86a) and 1,480 penalty minutes. He has 156 games of CHL experience with Allen and the Odessa Jackalopes under his belt, amassing 108 points (53g-55a) and 441 penalty minutes. Bootland has also skated for the Vienna Capitals and EC Salzburg of Austria’s Erste Banke Eishockey Liga, registering 15 points (5g-10a) and 95 penalty minutes in 18 games.

Prior to turning pro, Bootland played four seasons of major junior hockey with the Barrie Colts and Toronto St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario Hockey League, amassing 263 points (127g-136a) and 608 penalty minutes in 248 career games.

Bootland was an eighth-round selection (#252 overall) by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Bootland’s older brother is Nick Bootland, director of hockey operations and head coach of the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings.

Orlando has also announced the trade of veteran forward Tristan King to the Quad City Mallards in exchange for future considerations. King had previously agreed to terms with Orlando on Aug. 22.

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.