Solar Bears hire Jared Staal as assistant coach

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have announced the club has added Jared Staal as the team’s new assistant coach.

“I’m pleased to have Jared join our coaching staff for the coming season,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said. “During the interview process, he demonstrated to me that he is someone who has a passion for teaching today’s modern hockey player, and he will be an asset to our hockey operations staff.”

Staal, 28, begins his professional coaching career after spending the 2018-19 season as the assistant coach at the Okanagan Hockey Academy’s Edmonton, Alberta campus.

“My family and I would like to thank Drake Berehowsky and [Solar Bears president] Chris Heller for the opportunity to join such a respected organization like the Orlando Solar Bears,” Staal said. “I am looking forward to working with and learning from Drake, and can’t wait for the season to begin.”

As a player, Staal enjoyed a seven-year professional career, including a two-game stint with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Staal played the majority of his career in the American Hockey League, where he accrued 36 points (17g-19a) and 99 penalty minutes in 232 games with the Charlotte Checkers, Providence Bruins and San Antonio Rampage. He also played 97 games in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays and Florida Everblades, recording 35 points (18g-17a) and 29 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-4, 201-pound winger concluded his career in 2016-17, when he suited up for the Edinburgh Capitals of Great Britain’s Elite Ice Hockey League, generating 33 points (12g-21a) and 14 penalty minutes in 44 games.

Prior to turning pro, the Thunder Bay, Ontario native played major junior hockey for the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League, recording 153 points (54g-99a) and 157 penalty minutes in 249 games.

Staal comes from a renowned hockey family, as his brothers Eric, Marc and Jordan all have played in the NHL. Off the ice, Staal is involved with the Staal Family Foundation, which is a family foundation motivated by the desire to give back to communities, by providing support and opportunities for children and families fighting cancer.

Staal was a second-round selection of the Phoenix Coyotes (#49 overall) in the 2008 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.