MAITLAND, FLA – Orlando Solar Bears head coach Anthony Noreen has talked quite a bit about rebuilding the team starting with a bolstering of the defensive corps. So far he has met that promise with the six signings made to this point. Of course, no defense is any good unless the team can put pucks in the opposition’s net.
To that end, Noreen has begun the process of crafting his forward lines with a mix of returning players and new faces – in fact, the first time players coming to the City Beautiful outnumber the ones who are back for another go at a Kelly Cup championship.
So far, Noreen has inked thirteen players to deals for training camp and the 2016-2017 ECHL season. Eight of the baker’s dozen will be brand new names and faces and bring with them a wide range of talents and experience.
Maybe the biggest splash signing was that of veteran Paul Crowder. The 31-year old native of Victoria, British Columbia has had a long and storied career, one that has spanned over 400 games on two continents. In 385 games between the AHL and ECHL, Crowder has amassed 96 goals and 160 assists to go with 219 penalty minutes. Last season, he played for Amiens in France where he collected 30 points and 43 penalty moinutes in 24 games before coming back to North American where he finished the season with the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets where he posted 5 goals and 19 assists in 29 games.
“Paul Crowder is a proven leader, scorer and winner as a professional,” Noreen said in announcing the signing in mid-July. “He will add veteran experience and be a great addition to our locker room and performance on the ice.”
Another player bringing experience is Adam Brace. Entering his fifth season at the pro level, the 28-year old from Cobden, Ontario has almost 200 professional games under his belt including 136 between the AHL and ECHL. Two seasons ago, Brace led the Florida Everblades with 35 goals and 72 points in 71 games – numbers good enough to earn him a spot on the All-ECHL second team. He spent the 2015-2016 season with Heilbronner Falken squad in the German DEL 2 league, netting 28 goals and 63 points with 50 penalty minutes in 52 contests.
“Adam is a proven difference maker at the professional level,” Noreen said. “He has the ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates through his speed, shot and offensive instincts. His experience and ability will be a great addition to our group.”
Fourth year pro Joe Perry has just shy of 100 games of ECHL experience including a 26 goal, 43 point performance with the Quad City Mallards in 2014-2015. His professional career came on the heels of a college career at Division 3 St. Norbert College wherehe and his teammates won multiple national championships. Last year he split time between the Alaska Aces and the Fort Wayne Komets where he played with Paul Crowder and Brock Montgomery.
“Adding a player like Joe Perry gives us another proven scorer at this level,” Noreen said about the 27-year old Nanaimo, British Columbia native. “He’s a hard nosed, honest player who will also add to our team’s character.”
At twenty-two years old, Sebastien Sylvestre is already entering his third season of pro hockey. Hailing from Boucherville, Quebec, Sylvestre will be playing for his third different ECHL team when he dons the Solar Bears jersey. In 136 career games between Bakersfield and Missouri, he has scored 42 goals and 43 assists to go along with 124 penalty minutes. He has a connection to the Toronto organization, having been a teammate of Maple Leafs 2013 first round draft choice Frederik Gauthier in Rimouski where he posted ten goals and 32 points in 26 games.
“Sebastien is a highly skilled forward whose best hockey is still in front of him,” Noreen said. “He is smart, has very good hands and is committed to playing both ends of the ice.”
The first of two former teammates from the University of North Dakota, rookie Coltyn Sanderson brings with him a high work ethic and some professional pedigree. Following two outstanding seasons with the Weyburn Red Wings in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (51 goals, 129 points and 98 penalty minutes in 114 games played), he became a role player at North Dakota. He was a key part of North Dakota’s NCAA championship team in 2015-2016 as a third/fourth line player who did everything his coach asked of him.
As for the pro pedigree, his father Mike played seven years in the professional ranks including two with the ACHL/WHA2 Orlando Seals from 2002-2004.
“Coltyn Sanderson emerged as a key contributor for his college team last season a nd his hard work paid off with a championship,” Noreen said about the Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan born Sanderson. “We anticipate him being a solid two way player with an elite work ethic that we can use in any situation.”
The second of the two North Dakota signees is Connor Gaarder. Another 25-year old, Gaarder posted 58 points and 97 penalty minutes in 151 games played at North Dakota before graduating and heading to Europe where he suited up for Frisk Asker in Norway’s GET-ligaen where he had 18 goals and 36 points in 45 games. The native of Edina, Minnesota also has a family connection to Minnesota sports in grandfather Jerry Burns who was the head coach of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings from 1986-1991.
“Connor Gaarder is a high energy, high character player,” Noreen said. “He plays hard every shift and has a knack for scoring big goals.”
Like Gaarder, Indian Trail, North Carolina-born Bryan Moore is heading into his second year at the professional level. Following four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League – two with the Sarnia Sting and two with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (where he was coached by current Toronto Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe) – Moore split 2015-2016 between the AHL’s San Diego Gills and the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies. In 28 games played between the two leagues, he had 10 goals and 30 points to go along with 77 penalty minutes.
“Bryan is coming off a strong rookie season and we expect him to be even more effective this coming season,” Noreen said. “He will add scoring ability and physicality to our lineup every night.”
Last but not least is rookie Matt Johnson. The 25-year old from Stillwater, Minnesota had two outstanding seasons in the USHL with the Tri-City Storm where he posted 18 goals, 17 assists and 126 penalty minutes in 111 games. He then went on to play for The Ohio State University where he collected 26 goals, 17 assists and 79 penalty minutes in 129 games for the Buckeyes. In both places, Johnson was awarded for his leadership capabilities by being named an assistant captain.
“Matt Johnson brings speed and physicality to our lineup,” Noreen said. “He’s got a great work ethic and had been a leader on every team he’s played for.”
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