Solar Bears name Chris LeBlanc captain

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have announced that forward Chris LeBlanc has been named team captain for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. LeBlanc becomes just the seventh player in team history to be named to the captaincy on a full-time basis. Forward Trevor Olson and defenseman Michael Brodzinski will serve as alternate captains during home games for the remainder of the season; forwards Colby McAuley and Tayler Thompson will fulfill those same duties for road games.

“Chris plays the game the right way – he’s put in the work every day that he’s come to the rink over the past three years, and we depend on him in every situation,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said. “The guys in our locker room look to him, and it was an easy choice for him to take over the captaincy.”

LeBlanc, 26, has 19 points (10g-9a) and 22 penalty minutes in 28 games with Orlando this season, his third campaign with the team.

“It’s a humbling experience – I know the expectations in this locker room and the passion this city has for the team,” LeBlanc said. “I’m excited for the challenge – I think our team is trending in the right direction.”

In 149 career games over three seasons with the Solar Bears, LeBlanc has 79 points (30g-49a) and 78 penalty minutes. He ranks fourth in team history in games played, eighth in assists, ninth in points and is tied for 10th in goals. The Winthrop, Massachusetts native turned pro at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder and the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League.

Prior to turning pro, LeBlanc played four seasons of collegiate hockey for Merrimack College. In 113 career games for the Warriors program, LeBlanc collected 48 points (22g-26a) and 53 penalty minutes.

LeBlanc was originally a sixth-round pick (#161 overall) of the Ottawa Senators in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Orlando Solar Bears captains by season:

2012-13: Ryan Cruthers2013-14: Eric Baier2014-15: Stefan Della Rovere2015-16: Eric Baier and Carl Nielsen2016-17: Eric Baier2017-18: Sean Zimmerman2018-19: Mike Monfredo2019-20: Mike Monfredo (through Dec. 13, 2019); Chris LeBlanc

NEXT GAME:

The Solar Bears return home to face the Brampton Beast this afternoon at 3 p.m. for a FAIRWINDS Solar Bears Sunday – FAIRWINDS members can use their FAIRWINDS debit/credit card to score two free tickets to the game. Visit fairwinds.org/solarbears for more information. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for this game.

Purchase Single-Game Tickets:

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.

Order New Jerseys:

The Orlando Solar Bears will wear new jerseys for the 2019-20 season. Replica jerseys are available for purchase online, with adult sizes available for $149.95 and youth sizes available for $109.95. Fans can visit bit.ly/OSBJerseys to place their 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.