As we edge closer and closer to the start of training camps the Solar Bears have recently announced three player signings for the upcoming season.

Toronto native Troy Crema joins the Solar Bears for his first full season of Professional hockey.  The 22 year old forward completed his college career with Dartmouth College as their leading scorer (17g-12a) and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker award, presented annually to the nation’s best college hockey player.  Troy also played two games for the Rochester Americans in the AHL on an amateur tryout after the completion of his college season.  Prior to his college career, Troy played in the Greater Toronto Minor Midget Hockey League for the Mississauga Senators, and two seasons in the Ontario Junior Hockey League for the Brampton Capitals and the Hamilton Red Wings.

Todd Skirving joins Orlando after completing a four-year college career with the Rochester Institute of Technology, logging three points (1g-2a) and six penalty minutes in 17 games in his final year.  From the team’s press release:

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound forward led his team in the faceoff dot with a .613 win percentage (111 faceoffs won on 181 draws), a figure that was the best in the Atlantic Hockey conference and fifth-best in all of Division I hockey.  Skirving amassed 51 points (19g-32a) and 56 penalty minutes in 127 career games with the Tigers, and helped the program capture back-to-back Atlantic Hockey playoff titles in 2015 and 2016.

Sean Zimmerman joins the Bears’ blue line after captaining the Colorado Eagles to the 2016-2017 Kelly Cup Championship.

From the Team’s Press release:

After talking to the coaching staff, this felt like an organization that I wanted to be a part of,” Zimmerman said. “I’m excited about joining the Solar Bears, and my main goal is to help bring a championship to Orlando!

Zimmerman brings 622 games of professional experience to the Solar Bears, and has tallied 90 points (11g-79a) and 973 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-2, 206-pound blueliner enters his 11th full season of pro hockey, and has played in the American Hockey League (Syracuse Crunch, Providence Bruins, Rochester Americans, San Antonio Rampage and Lowell Devils), ECHL (Colorado and Trenton Devils) and Central Hockey League (Denver Cutthroats).

Prior to turning pro, the Denver, Colo. native skated in 270 games with the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs, where he totaled 59 points (10g-49a) and 165 penalty minutes. He also helped the United States capture the bronze medal at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championships in Sweden.

Orlando also announced that the team will again play two preseason games against the Florida Everblades in Estero, Fl on October 7th and 8th.  The Solar bears begin regular season play on October 14th against the Jacksonville Icemen, and the home opener will be October 28th against the Atlanta Gladiators.

Orlando Solar Bears