ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, announced today the signing of rookie defenseman Luke Bast to a contract for the 2025-26 season.
Bast, 24, enters his first professional season after four collegiate years with University of North Dakota (2021-2023) and University of Minnesota-Duluth (2023-2025). The Red Deer, Alberta native appeared in 15 games during the 2024-25 season for the Bulldogs, scoring one assist and two penalty minutes.
The 5-foot-10, 178-pound rearguard also played four seasons of junior hockey for the Waterloo Black Hawks (2019-2021) in the USHL and the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL (2017-2019). Bast helped the Bandits win the 2018-19 AJHL Championship by scoring 35 points from the back end and adding nine points in 15 games in the playoffs. Following the 2017-18 campaign, Bast was voted AJHL South Division All-Rookie Team.
Solar Bears 2025 Preseason Roster:
FORWARDS: Anthony Bardaro, Tyler Bird, Andrew Bruder, Tyler Drevitch, Carson Focht, Cole Kodsi, Peter Laviolette III, Aaron Luchuk, Jarid Lukosevicius, Keanan Stewart, Alex Tonge
DEFENSEMEN: Nick Anderson, Luke Bast, J.C. Brassard, Logan Britt, Davis Bunz, Tony Follmer, Cody Schiavon
GOALTENDERS: Jon Gillies, Ethan Langenegger
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
New Mexico Goatheads
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trenton Ironhawks
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers