Syracuse Crunch Loan Forward Spencer Kersten, Defenseman Chris Harpur to Orlando Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, announced today the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL) have loaned forward Spencer Kersten and defenseman Chris Harpur to the Orlando Solar Bears. Additionally, the Solar Bears have released defenseman Mike Ladyman.

In 110 ECHL games, the Waterloo, Ontario native has 101 points (46g-55a). Kersten has also appeared in 19 AHL games over two seasons with Belleville and Syracuse posting two goals.

Kersten signed a one-year AHL contract with the Crunch prior to the start of the 2025-26 season.

Harpur, 29, has appeared in 14 games this season with Orlando, posting three assists and a minus-2 rating. In 168 ECHL games, the Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario native has scored 36 points (7g-29a) and earned 134 penalty minutes. In 47 career games with the Crunch over three seasons, Harpur tallied nine assists and 24 penalty minutes. Harpur was signed to a one-year, AHL contract with Syracuse in June of 2025.

The 6-foot-3, 201-pound defenseman earned 58 points (10g-48a) in 161 games over five seasons at Niagara University. He set the program record for most games played in school history (161), while captaining the roster during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 season.