Solar Bears Alumni Zach Fucale, Christopher Gibson faceoff in 2023 Calder Cup Finals

PALM DESERT, Calif. — Orlando Solar Bears alumni Zach Fucale of the AHL’s Eastern Conference Champion, Hershey Bears and Christopher Gibson of the Western Conference Champion, Coachella Valley Firebirds prepare for the commencement of the 2023 Calder Cup Finals on Thursday night at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif. 

Fucale, 28, appeared in 24 regular season games for the Solar Bears during the 2019-20 regular season, posting a 10-8-4 record with a 2.36 goals against average (GAA) and a 92.8% save percentage (SV%). Four of Fucale’s 10 wins were shutouts, which tied Clint Windsor’s mark in the same season for the second most by a Solar Bears goaltender in a single season. 

The 2013 second round pick of the Montreal Canadiens is in his third season with the Washington Capitals organization, signing a two-way contract with the Capitals in 2020. Fucale made his NHL debut in 2021, setting a record for longest shutout streak to start a career in league history. 

The Laval, Quebec native is looking to add to his already loaded trophy case which includes a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Championship, Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Memorial Cup, Hlinka Gretzky Cup Gold Medal, and U20 World Junior Championship Gold Medal. 

Gibson, 30, appeared in 20 regular season games and two playoff games for the Solar Bears during the 2013-14 regular season, recording a 8-9-2 mark with a 3.16 GAA and a .892 save percentage. 

The Karkkila, Finland native was selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut during the 2015-16 season with the New York Islanders, appearing in four NHL games that season. 

Gibson joined the Tampa Bay Lightning organization prior to the 2020-21 season and was a part of the Lightning team that won the 2021 Stanley Cup Championship. 

This season, Gibson has appeared in 20 AHL games, posting a 10-5-4 record with a 2.99 GAA and a .894 SV%. 

About the ECHL:Formed in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 20 states and two Canadian provinces for its 35th season in 2022-23. There have been 740 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including 13 who have made their NHL debut in the 2022-23 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 28 of the 32 NHL teams in 2022-23, marking the 26th consecutive season that the league has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

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 11 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 the AdventHealth Rink 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.