Bear Bites - Solar Bears Update
Published on February 23, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release
Orlando Solar Bears forward Aaron Luchuk
(Orlando Solar Bears)
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Solar Bears have dropped five straight headed into a two-game set against their in-state rival, Florida Everblades.
This Week's Games:
Thursday, February 26 at Florida Everblades - 7:30pm
Saturday, February 28 vs. Florida Everblades - 7pm - Throwback Night - Mites Jamboree - IHL Throwback Jersey
Wear your Solar Bears swag to Acai Republic (Altamonte Springs and Ocoee locations) on home or road game days and receive 50% off your order. (In-Store orders only)
Ways Wednesdays - Buy any size Way and get the next Way half off!
AT A GLANCE:
2025-26 REGULAR SEASON RECORD: 20-27-4-1 (.433)
LAST WEEK'S RECORD: 0-2-0-0
2025-26 REGULAR SEASON LEADERS:
TOP SCORER: Reece Newkirk - 51 points
MOST GOALS: Two Players - 19 goals
MOST ASSISTS: Reece Newkirk- 32 assists
PIM LEADER: Reece Newkirk - 78 PIM
PLUS-MINUS LEADER: Ethan Szmagaj - +5
LAST WEEK'S GAMES:
Saturday, February 21 vs. Savannah Ghost Pirates (1-4 L)
Will Riedell scored a goal and an assist and Josh Lopina recorded two assists in the Ghost Pirates 4-1 decision Saturday night in Orlando. Vinny Purpura made 30 saves for Savannah. Ethan Szmagaj scored his first professional goal for the Solar Bears in the defeat.
Sunday, February 22 vs. Florida Everblades (1-6 L)
The Solar Bears trailed the entire way Sunday, Tarun Fizer scored twice for the Everblades. His 2nd period goal was the eventual game-winner. Cam Johnson made 22 saves for the Everblades. Tyler Bird scored the lone goal for the Solar Bears in the loss.
BITES:
Reece Newkirk is sixth in points with 51 this season.
Jon Gillies is second in the ECHL in minutes played (1,755)
Orlando is third on the power play on the road (25.6%)
Orlando is 17-1-0-0 when leading after two periods.
BEARS IN THE OLYMPICS:
Two former Solar Bears currently occupy a spot on Men's Ice Hockey Olympic rosters - here we will track their progress:
Darcy Kuemper - Goaltender - Canada - Silver Medal
Martins Dzierkals - Forward - Latvia - 4 GP, 0g-0a
Images from this story
 Orlando Solar Bears forward Aaron Luchuk |
ECHL Stories from February 23, 2026
- ECHL Transactions - February 23 - ECHL
- Rizzo Reassigned by Philadelphia from Lehigh Valley to Reading; Golder & Perets Loaned to Reading by Lehigh Valley - Reading Royals
- Knight Monsters Weekly Update: February 23, 2026 - Tahoe Knight Monsters
- Connor Ungar Reassigned by Edmonton Oilers to the Orlando Solar Bears - Orlando Solar Bears
- Ryan Chyzowski Called up to Calgary Wranglers - Rapid City Rush
- Lions Announce the Signing of Quebec Native Jérémy Michaud - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Americans Weekly - Allen Americans
- Komets Back on Top Central Division Standings - Fort Wayne Komets
- Jonsson Named Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week - Fort Wayne Komets
- Bear Bites - Solar Bears Update - Orlando Solar Bears
- Maurizio Colella Returns from Europe, Rejoins Rush - Rapid City Rush
- Fort Wayne's Jonsson Named Warrior Hockey/ECHL Goaltender of the Week - ECHL
- Thunder Acquire Lucas Helland from Rapid City - Adirondack Thunder
- Thunder Capitalize Early to Beat Gargoyles 5-2 - Greensboro Gargoyles
- K-Wings Loaned Rookie Goaltender Aku Koskenvuo - Kalamazoo Wings
- Icemen Acquire Four Players & a Future Consideration in Trade with Toledo - Jacksonville Icemen
- Walleye Add Two Forwards in Trade with Icemen - Toledo Walleye
- Ghost Pirates Weekly Update: February 23 - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Gargoyles Unable to Hold Second Period Lead, Thunder Win Game Two 4-2 - Greensboro Gargoyles
- K-Wings Weekly: Kalamazoo Sweeps Week, Four on Road Ahead - Kalamazoo Wings
- Defenseman D.J. King Recalled by Hershey - South Carolina Stingrays
- Stingrays Weekly Report - February 23 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Walleye Weekly No. 18: February 23, 2026 - Toledo Walleye
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Orlando Solar Bears Stories
- Syracuse Crunch Sign Jon Gillies to AHL Contract
- Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton, Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer Ice Show Returns to Kia Center March 15
- Solar Bears Sign Rookie Forward Lucas Chard
- Bear Bites - Solar Bears Update
- Chris Harpur, Reece Newkirk Recalled to Syracuse Crunch
