ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have announced that the club has agreed to terms with forward Brent Pedersen for the 2019-20 season. Pedersen is currently attending training camp with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League as an invitee.
“Brent is a player who is quickly developing into a high-end player in this league,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said. “After a strong season with us last year, we’re expecting him to take another step forward and be a leader for us offensively.”
Pedersen, 24, returns to Orlando after tallying 32 points (12g-20a) and four penalty minutes in 30 games with the Solar Bears in his first season of professional hockey. The rookie’s performance with the Solar Bears was recognized by the ECHL when he was named as an alternate for the ECHL All-Star Classic in Toledo. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound forward also earned a try-out with Manitoba, where he added five points (4g-1a) and 15 penalty minutes in 29 AHL games. Pedersen returned to Orlando for the postseason, notching three points (2g-1a) in seven playoff contests.
“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to play in Orlando for another season,” Pedersen said. “The organization is second to none in the ECHL, and we have the best fans in the league – I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Prior to turning pro, the Arthur, Ontario native played three seasons for Laurentian University, where he accumulated 59 points (27g-32a) and 26 penalty minutes in 76 games for the Voyageurs program. Pedersen also played major junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers and Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, where he accrued totals of 112 points (58g-54a) and 171 penalty minutes in 268 games. Pedersen captured an OHL title and a Memorial Cup championship with Oshawa during the 2014-15 season.
Pedersen was a fifth-round selection (#126 overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes 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. Single-game tickets for all Solar Bears home games are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster. CLICK HERE to download the calendar for the 2019-20 season.
Pre-Order New Jerseys:
The Orlando Solar Bears will wear new jerseys for the 2019-20 season. An extremely limited quantity of replica jerseys are available for pre-order online, with adult sizes available for $149.95 and youth sizes available for $109.95. Fans can visit bit.ly/OSBJerseys to place a pre-order today.
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.