Aaron Luchuk wins ECHL scoring title

ORLANDO, Fla. — The ECHL on Sunday announced that Orlando Solar Bears forward Aaron Luchuk has won the league scoring championship for the 2020-21 season after recording 74 points (28g-46a) in 72 games. He is the first player in club history to lead the ECHL in scoring. 

Luchuk, 24, enjoyed a career year in his third season of professional hockey and first with Orlando, establishing personal bests in goals, assists and points. His 46 assists and 229 shots were third in the league, while he was tied for fifth with eight power-play goals. 

Luchuk’s 74 points, 46 assists and 229 shots established new club single-season marks. He and teammate Tristin Langan appeared in all 72 games, becoming the fourth and fifth players in team history to dress in every single game in a season. 

From February 13 – March 7, the forward enjoyed an 11-game point streak – tied for the third-longest streak by an individual player in the ECHL this season – in which he posted five goals and 10 assists. Earlier this week, Luchuk was named to the All-ECHL First Team and received the ECHL’s Sportsmanship Award after finishing the season with only 16 penalty minutes. Luchuk also received Warrior Hockey ECHL Player of the Month honors for April after leading the league with 19 points (10g-9a) in 14 games. 

The Solar Bears went 31-14-4-1 this season when Luchuk recorded a point, and 16-5-2-1 when he scored a goal. Luchuk led the Solar Bears with 18 multi-point games; the club posted a 14-2-1-1 record in those contests. 

Luchuk has recorded 146 points (57g-89a) in 150 career ECHL games with Orlando, Brampton and Newfoundland. He has also added nine points (4g-5a) in 33 career games in the American Hockey League with Laval, Belleville and Toronto. 

Prior to turning pro, the native of Kingston, Ontario played major junior in the Ontario Hockey League for the Windsor Spitfires and Barrie Colts, producing 251 points (115g-136a) in 274 games. Luchuk helped Windsor capture the Memorial Cup during the 2016-17 season, and the following year he led the circuit in scoring with 115 points, while earning OHL Second All-Star Team honors and was selected as the recipient of the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as the league’s best overage player. 

ECHL Leading Scorer Award Winners 

2020-21 Aaron Luchuk, Orlando Solar Bears 74 points 2019-20 Josh Kestner, Toledo Walleye 73 points 2018-19 Jesse Schultz, Cincinnati Cyclones 80 points 2017-18 Shawn Szydlowski, Fort Wayne Komets 79 points 2016-17 Chad Costello, Allen Americans 122 points 2015-16 Chad Costello, Allen Americans 103 points 2014-15 Chad Costello, Allen Americans 125 points 2013-14 Brandon Marino, Fort Wayne Komets 88 points 2012-13 Mathieu Roy, Florida Everblades 89 points 2011-12 Dustin Gazley, Elmira Jackals 85 points 2010-11 Justin Donati, Elmira Jackals 94 points 2009-10 Tyler Donati, Elmira Jackals 114 points 2008-09 Kevin Baker, Florida Everblades 102 points 2007-08 David Desharnais, Cincinnati Cyclones 106 points 2006-07 Brad Schell, Gwinnett Gladiators 110 points 2005-06 Alex Leavitt, Alaska Aces 91 points 2004-05 Scott Gomez, Alaska Aces 86 points 2003-04 Tim Smith, Columbia Inferno 95 points 2002-03 Buddy Smith, Arkansas RiverBlades 104 points 2001-02 Louis Dumont, Pensacola Ice Pilots 102 points 2000-01 Scott King, Charlotte Checkers 101 points 1999-00 John Spoltore, Louisiana Ice Gators 119 points 1998-99 John Spoltore, Louisiana Ice Gators 109 points 1997-98 Jamey Hicks, Birmingham Bulls 119 points 1996-97 Ed Courtenay, South Carolina Stingrays 110 points 1995-96 Hugo Belanger, Nashville Knights 144 points 1994-95 Scott Burfoot, Erie Panthers 97 points 1993-94 Phil Berger, Greensboro Monarchs 139 points 1992-93 Trevor Jobe, Nashville Knights 161 points 1991-92 Phil Berger, Greensboro Monarchs 130 points 1990-91 Stan Drulia, Knoxville Cherokees 140 points 1989-90 Bill McDougall, Erie Panthers 148 points 1988-89 Daryl Harpe, Erie Panthers 122 points 

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 nine 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.