Solar Bears add Étienne Boutet for 2018-19

ORLANDO, Fla. –The Orlando Solar Bears have agreed to terms with defenseman Étienne Boutet for the 2018-19 season.

Boutet (EH-TEE-en BOO-teht), 26, joins the Solar Bears after spending the 2017-18 season with the Wichita Thunder, where he posted 14 points (3g-11a) and 57 penalty minutes in 68 games, and added three points (1g-2a) and eight penalty minutes in three playoff contests. Additionally, Boutet earned a two-game stint with the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League, where he received two penalty minutes.

“Étienne is a defenseman who can move the puck and play with an edge,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said. “He’s someone we expect to make a solid first pass out of our zone, and he can help run our power play from the blue line.”

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound defender’s professional career also includes a 25-game stretch with the Idaho Steelheads during the 2013-14 campaign, in which Boutet logged nine points (2g-7a) and 16 penalty minutes while under contract to the AHL’s Texas Stars.

“I’ve heard a lot of great things about Orlando, and I’m excited to be joining the Solar Bears,” Boutet said.

Between his two seasons of pro hockey, the native of Saint-Nicolas, Quebec played for McGill University, amassing 33 points (6g-27a) and 74 penalty minutes for the Redmen.

Prior to turning pro with Idaho, Boutet collected 113 points (28g-85a) and 299 penalty minutes in 289 combined games with the Gatineau Olympiques, Rimouski Oceanic and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

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.