Halverson Recalled To Syracuse; Solar Bears Sign Jimmy Poreda

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning, announced the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL) have recalled goaltender Brandon Halverson from loan to the Solar Bears (Apr. 1). In a corresponding move, the Solar Bears have agreed to terms with goaltender Jimmy Poreda (Apr. 1).

Halverson, 28, owns a 14-12-4 record in 32 games this season with Orlando, with a 2.75 goals against average (GAA) and a .916 save percentage (SV%).

In eight games with the Crunch, Halverson posted a 5-2-0 record with a 2.86 GAA and .894 SV%.

The Crunch announced the signing of Halverson to a two-year, AHL contract on November 28. 

Prior to his professional career, Halverson backstopped the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL for three seasons. In 112 regular season games, Halverson posted a career mark of 72-28-7 with a 2.83 GAA and a .909 SV%. During the 2014-15 season, Halverson posted the most shutouts in the entire OHL with six. One year later, Halverson was on the USA U-20 World Junior Team that took the bronze medal.

The 6-foot-4, 231-pound goalkeeper was drafted by the New York Rangers in the second round, 59th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft and appeared in one NHL game for the Rangers during the 2017-18 season.

Poreda, 28, appeared in 12 games during two stops with the Bears during the 2022-23 season, posting a 6-5-0 record, a 2.80 GAA and a .912 SV%, 

This season, Poreda has appeared in four ECHL games with Savannah and Norfolk, and 23 games with the Macon Mayhem of the SPHL. 

Prior to his professional career, Poreda played in 61 games over four years at The State University of New York (SUNY) - Plattsburgh, recording a 2.31 career goals against average and a .920 SV% Poreda was named SUNYAC Second Team All-Conference during the 2018-19 regular season.