Solar Bears execute three-team trade with Fort Wayne, Rapid City

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ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland – The Orlando Solar Bears have executed a three-team trade with the Fort Wayne Komets and Rapid City Rush, in which Orlando has acquired forward Taylor Crunk from the Fort Wayne Komets to complete the Oct. 31 trade that sent forward Ryan Siiro to Fort Wayne. Orlando has subsequently traded Crunk along with rookie defenseman Myles McGurty to Rapid City in exchange for forward Shaquille Merasty.

Additionally, forward Colby McAuley has been loaned to Orlando by the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League.

The Solar Bears have also acquired the ECHL rights to rookie forward Ivan Kosorenkov from the Worcester Railers. The transaction completes the future considerations portion of the Dec. 9 trade in which Orlando traded forward Matt Schmalz to Worcester.

Merasty, 27, joins Orlando after recording 24 points (10g-14a) and 153 penalty minutes in 51 games with Rapid City this season.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound forward has amassed 36 points (15g-21a) and 193 penalty minutes in 79 career games with the Rush and Wichita Thunder.

Prior to turning pro, the Minnedosa, Manitoba native played three seasons with the University of Manitoba, where he appeared in 82 games for the Bisons program and tallied 74 points (33g-41a) and 50 penalty minutes. Merasty also played one season of NCAA-III hockey at Adrian College, where he picked up 38 points (22g-16a) and 10 penalty minutes in 28 games.

Kosorenkov, 21, recorded 19 points (9g-10a) and 18 penalty minutes in 36 games with Worcester this season. The 5-foot-11, 193-pound forward signed an American Hockey League contract on Nov. 16 with the San Jose Barracuda, where he has skated in one game this season.

Prior to turning pro, the native of Mytishchi, Russia played two seasons of major junior hockey for the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he collected 145 points (70g-75a) and 86 penalty minutes in 131 games. He also made the QMJHL All-Rookie team in 2016-17.

McAuley, 22, returns to Orlando, where he has recorded 21 points (7g-14a) and 58 penalty minutes in 27 games this season. He has also skated in four games with the Barracuda, where he has received two penalty minutes.

McGurty, 25, picked up three assists and eight penalty minutes in 14 games with Orlando this season.

NEXT GAMES: The Solar Bears hit the road for a three-game set with the Newfoundland Growlers, starting with the opening battle at Mile One Centre on Friday, March 8 at 5:30 p.m. EST. The Solar Bears return home on Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. for a Wine Down Wednesday against the Florida Everblades, featuring $5 wine specials throughout the game. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for this game.

2019-20 Season Ticket Memberships on Sale Now:

Upgrade to Solar Status and become a Season Ticket Member today. Season ticket memberships for the 2019-20 season are now on sale and start as little as $270 – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

2018-19 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The Orlando Solar Bears are proud to have local digital printing experts XYMOPrint as the presenting sponsor of the 2018-19 season. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2019 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 30% off their first order of 500 business cards.

2018-19 Single-Game Tickets Now on Sale:

Single-game tickets for the Orlando Solar Bears 2018-19 regular season home schedule are now on sale. 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 Orlando 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.