Orlando Solar Bears | Offseason Headquarters

Welcome to Offseason Headquarters, where we take a deep dive into the players who suited up for the Solar Bears during the 2023-24 season, and keep you up to speed on their next moves for the upcoming 2024-25 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 2023-24 with the Member, and has not been traded or released, OR

2. Signed an SPC in 2023-24, 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 2023-24 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.

Solar Bears Submit 2024 Protected List

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

Solar Bears Announce Future Consideration Trades

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

2024-25 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

Below you will find the players that suited up for the Solar Bears during the 2023-24 season, players that received qualifying offers for the 2023-24 season, and what their contract status is for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

ECHL Contracts:

Player	Protected list	Qualifying Offer	Signed 2024-25
Darik Angeli [V]	Yes
Max Balinson [QO]	Yes		Düsseldorfer EG (DEL)
Kelly Bent	Yes
Tyler Bird [V]	Yes
Francis Boisvert	Yes
Luke Boka	Yes		Picked by Worcester, Traded to Savannah (Future Considerations)
Ben Carroll	Yes
Joe Carroll	Yes
Chase Carter	No
Alexandre Fortin [V]*	Yes
Alex Frye	Yes
Kurt Gosselin	Yes
Jesse Jacques	Yes
Spencer Kersten [R]	Yes
Brayden Low [V]	Yes
Aaron Luchuk [V]	Yes
Ryan Mahshie [R]	Yes
Jimmy Mazza	Yes
Patrick Newell*	Yes
Michael Renwick [R] [QO]	Yes
Mikael Robidoux	N/A		Acquired from Allen, Picked by Wheeling (Future Considerations)
Tanner Schachle	Yes
Jake Smith	N/A		Acquired from Reading (Future Considerations)
Robbie Stucker	N/A		Acquired from Utah (Future Considerations)
TJ Walsh [R]	Yes		Picked by Wichita (Future Considerations)
Avery Winslow	Yes

AHL Contracts:

Player	2023-24 Season	2024-25 Season
Tyson Feist	Signed 1-yr AHL (CHI) Traded to SYR	UFA
Evan Fitzpatrick	Signed 1-yr AHL (SYR)	UFA
Brandon Halverson	Signed 2-yr AHL (SYR)	Signed (SYR)
Chris Harpur	Signed PTO (SYR)	Signed 1-yr AHL (SYR)
Mitchell Hoelscher	Signed 1-yr AHL (SPR)	UFA
Kevin Lombardi [R]	Signed 1-yr, 2-way AHL (SYR)	UFA
Zachary Massicotte	Signed 1-yr AHL (SYR)	UFA
Daniel Walker	Signed 1-yr AHL (SYR)	UFA

NHL Contracts:

Player	2023-24 Season	2024-25 Season
Jeremie Biakabutuka	Signed 2-yr ELC (STL)	Signed (STL)
Tanner Dickinson	Signed 2nd of 3-yr ELC (STL)	Signed (STL)
Jaydon Dureau	Signed 2nd of 3-yr ELC (TB)	Signed (TB)
Colten Ellis	Signed 3rd of 3-yr ELC (STL)	Extended 1 yr, 2-way NHL (STL)
Marc-Andre Gaudet	Signed 1st of 3-yr ELC (STL)	Signed (STL)
Anton Malmström [R]	Signed 1st of 2-yr ELC (STL)	Signed (STL)

Key: [R] = Rookie for 2024-25 season, [V] = Veteran for 2024-25 season, * = Placed on Team Suspension during 2023-24 season to maintain ECHL playing rights, QO = Qualifying Offer was made to player for 2023-24 season, ELC = Entry Level Contract, UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent, RFA = Restricted Free Agent.

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