Bear Bites: Week of Oct. 25, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears hit the road for the first time this season when they visit the Atlanta Gladiators on Friday, Oct. 29, before returning home to close out the month of October on Sunday, Oct. 31 against the Jacksonville Icemen at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Friday, Oct. 29 at Atlanta Gladiators at 7:30 p.m.  
• Sunday, Oct. 31 vs. Jacksonville Icemen at 1 p.m.
  • “Boo with the Bears” – Enjoy trick-or-treating on the Amway Center concourse, a costume contest.
  • VyStar Credit Union Solar Bears Sunday – The first 100 VyStar members who present their VyStar debit/credit card at the Amway Center box office will receive a free pair of tickets to the game; once the 100 pairs are claimed, VyStar members can still take advantage of a buy-one-get-one ticket offer.

The Orlando Solar Bears, along with VyStar Credit Union, have announced the launch of a co-branded debit card, available now for all VyStar Credit Union members.

Fans can get a Solar Bears debit card when they open a VyStar account with a minimum balance of $5 at any branch location. They can also apply for membership online at apply.vystarcu.org but will need to visit a branch to get a Solar Bears card. Current members can request a co-branded card by visiting a branch, calling 800-445-6289 or speaking to a VyChat representative at www.vystarcu.org.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Following our 3-1 win on Opening Night over the Gladiators, Jared Staal, Kevin Lohand Zach Émond addressed the media and discussed the evening’s victory.

BITES:

• The Solar Bears hold a lifetime 32-11-3-0 (.707) record against Jacksonville; Orlando is 20-0-0-0 against the Icemen on home ice.
• Zach Émond made 27 saves in his pro debut to earn the win on Oct. 23. He is the third rookie goaltender to start a season-opening game in team history, joining Christopher Gibson and Kasimir Kaskisuo, and the first to achieve a win.
• Forwards Tyler Bird and Tristin Langan received PTOs with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League last week, and each recorded an assist on Syracuse’s first goal on Friday at Rochester.
• Aaron Luchuk’s two points on Saturday gave him 148 in his ECHL career, split between Orlando, Brampton and Newfoundland.

BEARS IN THE NHL:

Several former Solar Bears currently occupy spots on NHL rosters for the 2021-22 season – here we will track their progress:

Now Solar Bears fans can win a trip to Jacksonville for 2022 ECHL All-Star Weekend! The format for the 2022 Warrior / ECHL All-Star Classic will feature the entire Jacksonville Icemen hockey team going head-to-head with the ECHL All-Stars. One lucky fan will win a trip to All-Star Weekend, including travel and accomodations, along with two tickets to Fan Fest on Sunday, January 16 and the 2022 ECHL All-Star Classic on Monday, January 17!

BEAR TRACKS PRESENTED BY PINK WHITNEY:

Solar Bears defenseman Chad Duchesne joined team broadcaster Jesse Liebman for last week’s episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. The sixth-year pro discusses playing for hometown major junior club in Kingston, Ontario, his existing friendship with a current teammate that helped lead him to Orlando, and what he plans to bring to the table this season, his first with the Solar Bears.

BECOME A VYSTAR CREDIT UNION MEMBER! 

VyStar Credit Union is the official credit union of the Orlando Solar Bears – take advantage of member benefits including discounted tickets and more! 

CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A VYSTAR CREDIT UNION MEMBER