Chris LeBlanc back for more with Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. –The Orlando Solar Bears have agreed to terms with forward Chris LeBlanc for the 2018-19 season.

LeBlanc (luh-BLANK), 24, returns for his second season with the Solar Bears after he skated in 60 games for Orlando in 2017-18, recording 21 points (10g-11a) and 24 penalty minutes. LeBlanc then led the Solar Bears in postseason goal-scoring with four tallies and two penalty minutes in nine playoff games.

“Chris came in as a rookie and I thought he did a tremendous job for us last season,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said. “As the season went on, we gave him more ice time on the power play and penalty kill, and he thrived with the added responsibility.”

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound forward also skated in 13 combined games with the Wichita Thunder and Binghamton Senators at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, where he generated five assists and two penalty minutes.

“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to return to Orlando,” LeBlanc said. “Between the professionalism displayed by the organization, the passionate fans and the world-class facilities, the decision was a no-brainer. I can’t wait to arrive and get back to work.”

Prior to turning pro, LeBlanc completed four seasons of college hockey playing for Merrimack College. In 113 career games for the Warriors program, the Winthrop, Massachusetts native collected 48 points (22g-26a) and 53 penalty minutes.

LeBlanc was originally a sixth-round selection (#161 overall) of the Ottawa Senators in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

2018-19 Offseason Headquarters:

Keep up with league deadlines and player signings throughout the summer with our 2018-19 Offseason Headquarters. Use this page to stay informed on all of the latest news regarding departing, returning and new players to join the Solar Bears for the upcoming season!

Lightning Preseason Tickets Now on Sale:

NHL hockey returns to Orlando this fall when the Tampa Bay Lightning face off against the Florida Panthers at the Amway Center in a preseason clash on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. Get your tickets now – visit the Amway Center box office or visit orlandosolarbearshockey.com/lightning.

2018-19 Season Ticket Memberships:

Season Ticket Memberships for the seventh season of ECHL Orlando Solar Bears hockey are now on sale. Full and Half-Season memberships are both available, starting as low as $270. For more information, call (407) 951-8200 or visit orlandosolarbearshockey.com.

2018-19 Single-Game Tickets Update:

Single-game tickets for the 2018-19 regular season go on sale on Friday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for as little as $15 at the Amway Center box office, or online at Ticketmaster.com.

About the Orlando Solar Bears:

The puck drops on Saturday, Oct. 13 against the Atlanta Gladiators as the Orlando Solar Bears open the 2018-19 season, presented by XYMOPrint. The Solar Bears are the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. In six seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs four times. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play at the ARS.com Rink at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year.

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