Colby McAuley back with Solar Bears

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

“Colby plays an aggressive, up-tempo game, and we’re expecting him to take on a larger role with us this season,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said. “He’s a smart player with a strong understanding of our system, and he will be an impact player for us.”

McAuley, 23, returns to Orlando after he was loaned to the club during the 2018-19 season while under contract with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League. In 39 regular season games for Orlando, the 6-foot, 185-pound forward collected 31 points (15g-16a) and 96 penalty minutes. McAuley also played in four regular season games with the Barracuda, adding two penalty minutes. He then added three points (2g-1a) and 22 penalty minutes for the Solar Bears in eight postseason appearances.

“I’m very excited to return to Orlando for another season – last year was an amazing experience, and the city, fans and team were all huge motivation to come back,” McAuley said. “Coach Berehowsky gave me a great opportunity last year, and I feel that I was able to take advantage of those chances when I was in the lineup. I can’t wait for training camp to get going and have an even better season.”

In 73 career ECHL games split between the Solar Bears and Allen Americans, McAuley has registered 51 points (23g-28a) and 168 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 36 career AHL games with the Barracuda, tallying 10 points (3g-6a) and 36 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, the Sherwood Park, Alberta native played major junior hockey for the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League, where he recorded 96 points (44g-52a) and 318 penalty minutes in 191 games. During the 2015-16 season, McAuley led the league in penalty minutes with 156.

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 go on sale at the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. 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.