Solar Bears ink Pierre-Luc Mercier

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

“Pierre-Luc is going to bring a dynamic skillset to our roster,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said. “He’s a player who loves to set up his teammates, but he’s also strong on the puck in all three zones and possesses a good shot.”

Mercier (MUHR-see-ay), 26, joins Orlando after splitting the 2018-19 campaign between the Rapid City Rush and Manchester Monarchs, posting totals of 47 points (13g-34a) and 39 penalty minutes in 66 combined games. His 227 total shots placed him 12th in the ECHL. Mercier also led the Monarchs in postseason scoring, adding 12 points (5g-7a) in 11 playoff contests to help Manchester reach the North Division Finals.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to play in Orlando,” Mercier said. “This summer I actively looked for a team that I feel can contend for a Kelly Cup, and I’m ready for the challenge of a new season.”

In 134 career ECHL games with Manchester, Rapid City and the Adirondack Thunder, the 6-foot-1, 179-pound forward has accumulated 89 points (30g-59a) and 73 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, the Verdun, Québec native played college hockey at Bowling Green State University, where he tallied 76 points (22g-54a) and 105 penalty minutes in 157 games for the Falcons program.

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.