Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick could make pro debut with Orlando
Photo credit: Christian Bonin
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have announced that rookie forward Martins Dzierkals has been reassigned to the club by the Toronto Marlies, Orlando’s American Hockey League affiliate.
Dzierkals (d’zee-KAHLZ), 20, joins the Solar Bears after skating in 106 games over the past two seasons with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, logging 116 points (45g-71a) and 86 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound forward also helped the Huskies capture the QMJHL championship in 2016.
The Ogre, Latvia native has represented his homeland for the past three seasons as a member of the Latvian Under-20 team at the IIHF World Junior Championships, helping Latvia win the Division 1A tournament in 2016 to earn a promotion to the top division for 2017.
Dzierkals was a third-round selection (#68 overall) of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and signed an AHL contract with the Marlies on Aug. 14.
Dzierkals could make his professional debut with Orlando as early as Thursday, Nov. 16, when the Solar Bears visit the Atlanta Gladiators at 7:05 p.m. at Infinite Energy Arena to begin a three-game road trip.
In a separate transaction, Orlando has also released forward Mike Vaskivuo. Vaskivuo, 31, had recorded six points (1g-5a) and six penalty minutes in nine games for Orlando this season.
The Solar Bears return home to face the Jacksonville Icemen at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and ticketmaster.com.
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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