Offseason Headquarters

Welcome to Offseason Headquarters, where we take a deep dive into the players who suited up for the Solar Bears during the 2024-25 season, and keep you up to speed on their next moves for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Here are some important dates ahead of the Solar Bears during the offseason:

Protected List: June 8, 3 p.m. ET

Teams are allowed to protect as many players as they wish provided the players protected meet the guidelines as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association which state that teams shall retain the rights to each player that:

1. Signed an SPC in 2024-25 with the Member, and has not been traded or released, OR

2. Signed an SPC in 2024-25, and was recalled to the NHL/AHL or IIHF team, and has not been traded or released, OR

3. Had received a Qualifying Offer last summer for the current Season, DID NOT sign an SPC, and has not been traded or released, OR

4. Has been suspended by the Member or League, and has not been traded or released, OR

5. Signed an SPC on or after the first day of the 2024-25 Regular Season, then subsequently signed an NHL/AHL contract, and has not been traded or released, OR

6. Has executed the ECHL Retirement Form, and has not been traded or released.

Protected lists may exceed 20 players.

Future Considerations Trade Deadline: June 20, 3 p.m. ET

Season-Ending Roster: June 22, 3 p.m. ET

2025-26 season contract signing window opens: June 23

Qualifying Offers Due to Players: July 7, 11:59 p.m. ET

Qualifying Offers Acceptance Period Ends: July 22, 11:59 p.m. ET

Restricted Free Agency Ends: August 8

Below you will find the players that suited up for the Solar Bears during the 2024-25 season, players that received qualifying offers for the 2024-25 season, and what their contract status is for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

ECHL Contracts:

Player	Protected list	Qualifying Offer	Signed 2025-26
Jack Adams
Nick Anderson [R]
Mark Auk
Anthony Bardaro
Kelly Bent
Tyler Bird [V]
Theo Calvas
Ben Carroll [V]
Liam Devlin [R]
Carson Focht
Tony Follmer [R]
Alex Frye
Jon Gillies
Alexis Gravel*
Jesse Jacques [QO]*
Cole Kodsi [R]
Brayden Low [V]
Aaron Luchuk [V]
Kris Myllari [V]
Ryan O'Reilly [R]
Matt Stief*
Ryan Verrier

AHL Contracts:

Player	2024-25 Season	2025-26 Season
Ryan Fanti	Signed 1-yr AHL (SYR)
Tyson Feist	Signed 1-yr AHL (SYR)
Chris Harpur	Signed 1-yr AHL (SYR)
Spencer Kersten	Signed 1-yr AHL (SYR)
Ara Nazarian [V]	Signed 1-yr AHL (SYR)
Reece Newkirk	Signed 1-yr AHL (SPR) - Traded to SYR
Michael Simpson	Signed 1-yr AHL (BEL)
Hudson Thornton	Signed 1-yr AHL (HER)
Scott Walford	Signed 1-yr AHL (SYR)

NHL Contracts:

Player	2024-25 Season	2025-26 Season
Jake Chiasson	Signed 2nd of 3-yr ELC (EDM/OTT)	Signed 3rd of 3-yr ELC (EDM/OTT)
Jaydon Dureau	Signed 3rd of 3-yr ELC (TB)	RFA
Milo Roelens	Signed 1st of 3-yr ELC (TB)	Signed 2nd of 3-yr ELC (TB)
Djibril Touré	Signed 2nd of 3-yr ELC (OTT)	Signed 3rd of 3-yr ELC (OTT)

Key: [R] = Rookie for 2025-26 season, [V] = Veteran for 2025-26 season, * = Placed on Team Suspension during 2024-25 season to maintain ECHL playing rights, QO = Qualifying Offer was made to player for 2024-25 season, ELC = Entry Level Contract, UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent, RFA = Restricted Free Agent

Offseason Headquarters

ECHL Teams

ECHL.com

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