Solar Bears sign defenseman Michael Brodzinski

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ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have announced that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Michael Brodzinski for the 2019-20 season.

Brodzinski, 24, returns to Orlando after spending the majority of last season assigned to the Solar Bears while under contract with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. In 69 regular season games with the Solar Bears, Brodzinksi tallied 38 points (9g-29a) and 16 penalty minutes, and also appeared in one match with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League. He also skated in 10 playoff games for Orlando, tallying three assists and two penalty minutes in the postseason. Brodzinski led the team in plus-minus with a +20, and his 29 assists in the regular season set a Solar Bears single-season record for assists by a defenseman. For his efforts with Orlando, Brodzinski was named the team’s MVP for the 2018-19 season.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound blueliner has 48 career points (12g-36a) and 30 penalty minutes in 92 career ECHL games with Orlando and the Allen Americans, and has added 10 points (2g-8a) and 46 penalty minutes in 61 career AHL games with the Barracuda.

Prior to turning pro, the native of Ham Lake, Minnesota played college hockey at the University of Minnesota, where he generated 48 points (18g-30a) and 62 penalty minutes in 99 career games for the Golden Gophers program.

Brodzinski played junior hockey for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League, appearing in 64 career games and registering 34 points (16g-18a) and 47 penalty minutes. During the 2012-13 season, the defenseman was

Brodzinski was a fifth-round selection (#141 overall) by the San Jose Sharks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

In a related move, Orlando has placed defenseman Kevin Lohan on the team’s reserve list and has activated forward Alexei Lipanov from the reserve list.

Orlando’s Season-Opening Roster is now as follows:

Orlando Solar Bears 2019-20 Season-Opening Roster

Forwards:

Jake Jackson [R]Ivan Kosorenkov [AHL-SJ]Tristin Langan [R, AHL-SJ]Chris LeBlancAlexey Lipanov [R, NHL-TB]Ryan Lohin [R, NHL-TB]Jake MarchmentColby McAuleyPierre-Luc MercierTrevor OlsonBrent PedersenMarcus Vela [AHL-SJ]

Defensemen:

Michael BrodzinskiTaylor Doherty [V]Cody DonagheyAlexander KuqaliMike Monfredo [V]Matthew Spencer [NHL-TB]

Goaltenders:

Zachary Fucale [AHL-SYR]Spencer Martin [NHL-TB]Zach Sawchenko [AHL-SJ]

Reserve:

Dylan Fitze (F)Kevin Lohan (D)

Injured Reserve:

Tyler Bird (F)Jimmy Lodge (F)

Key:

[V] = Veteran (Has at least 260 regular season games of professional experience in qualifying leagues as of the start of the 2019-20 season)[R] = Rookie[NHL-TB] = NHL Tampa Bay Lightning contract[AHL-SYR]  = AHL Syracuse Crunch contract[AHL-SJ] = AHL San Jose Barracuda contract

The Solar Bears will continue to hold on-ice practice sessions this week at the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den at 10 a.m. each morning. All practice sessions are open to the public. Flash photography and unauthorized video recording of Orlando Solar Bears practice sessions is not permitted. The RDV Sportsplex Ice Den is located at 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd., Orlando, FL 32810.

Members of the media who wish to arrange interview with Solar Bears players, coaches and team personnel should contact Solar Bears director of communications and broadcasting Jesse Liebman at jliebman@orlandosolarbearshockey.com.

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 – a limited number of tickets are still available. 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.