1. Home
  2. News
  3. Solar Bears Acquire Jared Westcott from Bloomington in exchange for Kohei Sato

Solar Bears Acquire Jared Westcott from Bloomington in exchange for Kohei Sato

Wednesday, January 22nd
Solar Bears Acquire Jared Westcott from Bloomington in exchange for Kohei Sato

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, announced Tuesday (Jan. 21) a trade with the Bloomington Bison acquiring forward Jared Westcott in exchange for forward Kohei Sato. Additionally, the Solar Bears have traded forward Mark Cheremeta to the Worcester Railers for future considerations.

Westcott, 25, joins the Solar Bears from the Bloomington Bison, where he's tallied seven points (3g-4a) in 24 games this season. Westcott started the season with the Wheeling Nailers, recording eight points (4g-4a) in 10 games over two seasons (2023-24, 2024-25).

Prior to his professional career, the Imperial, Missouri native played four seasons of college hockey - one at Penn State University and three at Lake Superior State University. In his final collegiate season, Westcott led the Lakers in scoring with 36 points in 38 games and was named CCHA First All-Star Team. In 91 NCAA games, Westcott scored 55 points (25g-30a). Westcott also enjoyed success at the junior level, winning the USHL 2019 Clark Cup Championship with the Sioux Falls Stampede.

Sato, 28, scored two points (1g-1a) in 10 games with Orlando this season. Sato sustained an upper body injury in late October that had him sidelined until early January. Since his return, the Nishitokyo, Japan scored one assist in five games.

Sato spent the 2023-24 campaign with the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) based in the United Kingdom and the 2022-23 season with KeuPa HT and JoKP of Metsis (Finland). In his two professional seasons, Sato tallied 56 points (28g-28a) in 91 regular seasons games. 

Internationally, Sato has competed for the Japan Men’s Ice Hockey National Team and medaled three times at the Division 1 (B) World Championships in 2019 (Bronze), 2022 (Silver), and 2023 (Gold). 

Cheremeta, 25, appeared in four games for Orlando following his acquisition from the Kalamazoo Wings. The Parkland, Florida native recorded zero points and a minus-two rating. In 18 total ECHL games this season, Cheremeta has tallied three points (1g-2a).

Upcoming Games

Full Schedule
Florida Everblades
Orlando Solar Bears
Friday, October 17th
Florida Everblades @ Orlando Solar Bears
Puck Drops:
7:00 PM EDT
Kia Center
Florida Everblades
FLA Florida Everblades
at
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
Kia Center
Orlando Solar Bears
Florida Everblades
Saturday, October 18th
Orlando Solar Bears @ Florida Everblades
Puck Drops:
7:00 PM EDT
Hertz Arena
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
at
Florida Everblades
FLA Florida Everblades
Hertz Arena
Savannah Ghost Pirates
Orlando Solar Bears
Friday, October 24th
Savannah Ghost Pirates @ Orlando Solar Bears
Puck Drops:
7:00 PM EDT
Kia Center
Savannah Ghost Pirates
SAV Savannah Ghost Pirates
at
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
Kia Center
Atlanta Gladiators
Orlando Solar Bears
Saturday, October 25th
Atlanta Gladiators @ Orlando Solar Bears
Puck Drops:
7:00 PM EDT
Kia Center
Atlanta Gladiators
ATL Atlanta Gladiators
at
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
Kia Center
Atlanta Gladiators
Orlando Solar Bears
Sunday, October 26th
Atlanta Gladiators @ Orlando Solar Bears
Puck Drops:
3:00 PM EDT
Kia Center
Atlanta Gladiators
ATL Atlanta Gladiators
at
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
Kia Center
Orlando Solar Bears
South Carolina Stingrays
Wednesday, October 29th
Orlando Solar Bears @ South Carolina Stingrays
Puck Drops:
7:05 PM EDT
North Charleston Coliseum
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
at
South Carolina Stingrays
SC South Carolina Stingrays
North Charleston Coliseum

Upcoming Home Games

Full Schedule
Florida Everblades
Orlando Solar Bears
Friday, October 17th
Florida Everblades @ Orlando Solar Bears
Puck Drops:
7:00 PM EDT
Kia Center
Florida Everblades
FLA Florida Everblades
at
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
Kia Center
Savannah Ghost Pirates
Orlando Solar Bears
Friday, October 24th
Savannah Ghost Pirates @ Orlando Solar Bears
Puck Drops:
7:00 PM EDT
Kia Center
Savannah Ghost Pirates
SAV Savannah Ghost Pirates
at
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
Kia Center
Atlanta Gladiators
Orlando Solar Bears
Saturday, October 25th
Atlanta Gladiators @ Orlando Solar Bears
Puck Drops:
7:00 PM EDT
Kia Center
Atlanta Gladiators
ATL Atlanta Gladiators
at
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
Kia Center

Latest News

More News
Solar Bears Announce Opening Night and School Day Game Dates and Times
Solar Bears Announce Opening Night and School Day Game Dates and Times
Bears Bites | Week of May 12
Bears Bites | Week of May 12
Bear Bites | Week of May 5
Bear Bites | Week of May 5

Get Hockey Updates

Sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know about news and upcoming games!