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

“Tyler plays a heavy game, and we see him potentially playing in a variety of roles for us,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said. “He’s a durable player and we’re excited to be able to add him.”

Bird, 23, enters his second season of professional hockey after he split his rookie campaign last season with the Wheeling Nailers, Reading Royals and Greenville Swamp Rabbits. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound forward netted totals of 12 points (3g-9a) and 19 penalty minutes in 45 games.

“Orlando is a spot everyone talks about as being a great place to play, and the coaching staff and facilities have an incredible reputation,” Bird said. “I’m looking forward to getting down there and helping the Solar Bears in any way I can.”

Prior to turning pro, the Andover, Massachusetts native played four seasons of collegiate hockey for Brown University, where he collected 35 points (22g-13a) 40 penalty minutes in 120 games for the Bears program. Bird only missed four games during his NCAA career, and was named an alternate captain for his senior season.

Bird was a fifth-round selection (#137 overall) of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2014 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.