Chris LeBlanc back for third season with Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have agreed to terms with forward Chris LeBlanc for the 2019-20 season.

“Over the last two years I’ve watched Chris become a major part of this team,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said. “He possesses a good mixture of size and skill, and when you combine that with his work ethic, it sets a terrific example for the rest of our lineup.”

LeBlanc (luh-BLANK), 26, returns to Orlando after posting a career-high 39 points (10g-29a) and 32 penalty minutes in 61 games during the 2018-19 regular season, his second campaign with the organization. LeBlanc notched an additional four points (3g-1a) and two penalty minutes in 10 games for the Solar Bears during the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

“Being a part of a first-class organization like the Solar Bears for the past two seasons made my decision to come back an easy one,” LeBlanc said. “I’m excited to return to play in front of the best fans in the league and work towards our goal of bringing a Kelly Cup to Orlando.”

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound forward enters the 2019-20 campaign ranking seventh on the Solar Bears franchise career leaderboard for games played (121), tied for 10th in assists (40) and tied for 12th in points (60).

LeBlanc has 65 points (20g-45a) and 58 penalty minutes in 128 career ECHL games split between the Solar Bears and Wichita Thunder, and has also skated in six games at the American Hockey League level with the Binghamton Senators.

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

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

Opening Night is Oct. 12:

The Orlando Solar Bears open their eighth season of ECHL hockey against the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Opening Night tickets are on sale via the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster  – CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO OPENING NIGHT.

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.

2019-20 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The 2019-20 Orlando Solar Bears season is presented by XYMOPrint, Orlando’s digital printing experts. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2021 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 15% off their first order and a free Orlando Solar Bears poster!

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 seven seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs five times. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play 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.