ORLANDO, FLA – If the hockey world did not know it before, they do now: the city of Orlando knows how to throw a party.
The Conn Smyth trophy, Kelly Cup, Turner Cup and the Hart trophy
Tuesday night, the downtown area of the City Beautiful came alive as thousands of fans celebrated the coolest game on ice at the CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic FanFest. The celebration concludes Wednesday night when the Orlando Solar Bears take on the ECHL All-Stars at the Amway Center.
From street hockey games where youth hockey players stood side by side with ECHL stars to pictures with the Stanley Cup and the Hockey Hall of Fame traveling display, fans were treated to a sensory overload of fun and games geared to young and old alike. It was in a sense a thank you from the Solar Bears organization to its fans who have shown up and supported the team since it joined the ECHL.
“As you can see, it’s all for the kids,” Solar Bears Chairman and General Partner Joe Haleski said. “There’s tons of kids here and that was our goal – to get the kids and families out for this event.”
Fans such as Ryan Shultz and his son were who the event was all about. A native of Auburn, Indiana, Shultz relocated to the Orlando area when the original Solar Bears played in the IHL. Shultz, who was proudly sporting a Fort Wayne Komets jersey, is now passing on his love of the sport to his ten year old.
“It’s fun going to the hockey games on the weekends, seeing the guys out there, following certain players. It’s fun to share it,” Shultz said. “Now to have the All-Star game here in town, it’s just a lot of fun coming around and seeing the people. I didn’t realize how Orlando had really taken to hockey. It’s cool.”
Judging by the smiles, cool was the operative word for the night. Even the Solar Bears players and those on the all-star roster got in on the act, signing autographs and interacting with fans no matter which team they supported.
“The atmosphere already here in downtown Orlando is awesome,” Solar Bears defenseman/forward Ben Rosen said. “We’re having a lot of fun.”
For some of the all-stars, this is their first visit to Orlando while others have been here before. All-Star starting goalie Joe Cannata of the Ontario Reign has been to Orlando before when he played for the Kalamazoo Wings. He said that with everything it has to offer, Orlando is a great place to come to.
The Hall of Fame display showed off jerseys from Orlando’s hockey past.
“Anytime you get to come to Florida it’s nice. I’ve been to Orlando and Disney World and what not. It’s a good city,” he said. “For us guys visiting, it’s a nice place for the all-star game.”
Tyson Fawcett of the Brampton Beast has been to Central Florida before as a tourist as a child. He was amazed at how much excitement he saw and heard from the fans.
“It’s awesome. It’s hyped up pretty good,” Fawcett said. “It looks like it’s going to be a fun time.”
With all of the activities going on, the players have been non-stop. Rosen said that as busy as they are, everyone is enjoying their “break”.
“It’s a nice little break. Everyone else in the league gets a break right now and this is kind of our break,” Rosen said. “It’s a good way to have it.”
Being that the hockey world is much like a family, the all-star game is also an opportunity for players to catch up with friends who are normally opponents.
“The hockey world is kind of a small world. You meet a lot of players along the way. It’s good to rekindle the light (friendships) with guys,” Solar Bears forward Brett Findlay said. “Seeing them here and the seasons they’ve had, we’re happy for them. It’s a special week and everyone on both teams is happy to be here.”
Haleski said that the response he and other members of the Solar Bears staff from the fans made the effort
“People are just thanking us left and right for putting this on and congratulating us on a successful event,” he said.
The events wind up Wednesday afternoon with the sold out ECHL Hall of Fame induction ceremony and luncheon followed by a block party leading into the game at 7 pm.
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