Solar Bears reach deal with Lightning
The Orlando Solar Bears have a new affiliate, and Central Floridians will have the opportunity to see them up close in September.
The Solar Bears have reached a three-year affiliation agreement with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who will face the Florida Panthers in an NHL exhibition game at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27, it was announced Monday.
Tickets will go on sale to the public through ticketmaster.com, beginning at 10 a.m. on Aug. 23. Pre-sales to Lightning and Solar Bears season-ticket holders, along with Orlando Magic premium members, will be offered that week.
Ticket prices were announced.
This will be the Lightning’s first preseason game in Orlando since they beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3 in a shootout on Sept. 18, 2013.
The Solar Bears, who play in the ECHL, previously had been affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Tampa Bay’s ECHL not affiliate last season was the Adirondack Thunder.
“The Solar Bears organization has demonstrated a strong commitment to success that has paid off with numerous playoff appearances,’’ said Steve Yzerman, the Lightning’s vice president and general manager. “We look forward to being a part of their future accomplishments while also developing our prospects in a world-class environment.”
The Lightning were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in Game 7 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals in May.
The Solar Bears will begin their seventh ECHL season in October. They were eliminated by the Florida Everblades in five games in a second-round playoff series last postseason.
“This relationship will not only aid in our on-ice performance, but will also help strengthen the profile of ice hockey throughout Central Florida,’’ Solar Bears President Chris Heller said.