ORLANDO, Fla. – When Orlando Pro Hockey Operations L.P. scheduled a press conference to announce the team name, the media was not the only target market. Orlando hockey fans were invited as well.
Despite the short lead-time and the press conference being held during the middle of the workday, a significant number of hockey fans were in attendance. Several fans sported old Solar Bears jerseys, showing the fan grapevine is still in working order.
Bob Ohrablo, Orlando Pro Hockey Chief Operating Officer, confirmed the rumors that the new ECHL team would mark the return of the Solar Bears. Ohrablo introduced a video compilation of the International Hockey League Solar Bears’ greatest goals, hits, cup raising and shots of overcrowded stands, designed to stir up the good memories of Orlando hockey fans. The IHL Solar Bears played in Orlando from 1995 to 2001.
Long time hockey fan and local Orlando hockey team supporter, Mary Redding, could hardly contain her excitement at the announcement of the new team. She still remembers supporting the original Solar Bears.
“I was part of the human chain formed around the old Amway Center when it was announced the Solar Bears would not continue to play,” Redding said. “We never wanted them to leave.”
Between the departure of the Solar Bears and the return of the Solar Bears, the Orlando Seals played in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and the World Hockey Association 2 for a season a piece. The following season the team moved to Kissimmee, became the Florida Seals and played in the Southern Professional Hockey League for a season and a half and then folded.
Former Solar Bears and Orlando Seals season ticket holder, Justin Stone, knows what it is like to have loved and lost teams, but is optimistic about the “new” Solar Bears.
“The ownership has a lot of great experience in hockey,” Stone said. “I was really excited when (Jason) Siegel was announced (as a managing partner). That’s a big name to bring over here and they should be successful.”
“I’m really happy to see they are working alongside the City and the Orlando Magic.” Stone commented. Orlando Magic President Alex Martin commented on the partnership with the Solar Bears at the press conference noting that it will involve cross-promotion and general support.
Former hockey player Matt Anthony thinks involvement through RDV Sports and the youth hockey program is one of the best ways to increase awareness among hockey fans. He also credits the website (now www.orlandosolarbearshockey.com ) as a place fans can go to find information.
“So far the website has been great,” said Anthony. “That’s where I’ve gotten all my information.”
Anthony plans to be a season ticket holder and draws comfort from the track record of the ECHL.
“With the ECHL being around for 25 years, that’s a strong-funded league.” Anthony said.
Gary Morin has followed hockey since there was hockey to follow in Orlando. He has been a season ticket holder for all of Orlando’s previous teams.
“What’s been very impressive is, as the information started to come out, it’s very evident that this (ownership) group has been doing their homework for a long period of time.” Morin said.
“Two of the partners clearly have hockey business management experience and had to make the decision of whether to bring back an old name. They had to negotiate with the Magic who had the rights.”
“In this case, it is a plus because the (IHL) Solar Bears had a fairly substantial season ticket base and they were always successful. Some of us still have old VHS tapes of the games and we follow the former players. You still have that tie. It’s just not using the name, it’s building on that tradition.” Morin said.
Ohrablo said they are eager to have former Solar Bears players or any pro hockey players in the Orlando area involved with the new team.
According to Ohrablo, the logo will get an update. But, they plan on embracing the Solar Bears tradition. The tagline at the end of the press conference video was crafted to play on that tradition, “Solar Bears…Out of Hibernation”.
Orlando fans eagerly wait to see how the “new” Solar Bears will compare with the “old” Solar Bears whose paw prints they plan to follow in.
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