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ECHL Orlando Solar Bears

Solar Bears Continue Expansion of Street Hockey Program

December 15, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears, proud affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL's Toronto Marlies, have announced the expansion of their street hockey program with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida to include the Walt Disney World Clubhouse in the neighborhood of Pine Hills earlier this month. Solar Bears forwards Adam Reid and Scott Wamsganz and defensemen Eric Baier and Mark Louis were on hand earlier this month to deliver new street hockey equipment and teach participating youth members the fundamentals of street hockey while practicing good sportsmanship.

The equipment donated by the Solar Bears and Haleski Foundation includes sticks, nets, street hockey balls and two full sets of goalie equipment.

"We're excited for the kids to be playing street hockey with the Orlando Solar Bears," Walt Disney World Clubhouse Senior Service Director Jose Bastias said. "The kids here are already having so much fun. It's great for them to learn the sport and become familiar with something they're not so familiar with. It's a great opportunity for them to have fun and be engaged with a physical activity."

The Walt Disney World Clubhouse is the second of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida branches to receive donated street hockey equipment, after the pilot program was launched at the Joe R. Lee branch in Eatonville earlier this year. Solar Bears players will be active in future visits to the Walt Disney World Clubhouse to continue to teach the values of the sport and teamwork.

"For us as players, it brings us back to when we were young playing street hockey," Baier said. "Just a few minutes of teaching these kids to play and seeing the enjoyment on their faces, and the teamwork and everything that goes with it is great. I don't think a lot of these kids have been exposed to hockey as much as other sports, but if we can come here for a while and bring a smile to their faces for a few hours and teach them how to play, that's awesome.

The Solar Bears plan to continue the expansion of the program to all branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida in future seasons.

Orlando resumes its six-game road trip on Wednesday, Dec. 16, as the Solar Bears face the Florida Everblades at 7:30 p.m. at Germain Arena as part of the Wawa Sunshine Cup Series. Be sure to tune into the game at iHeartSolarBears.com or watch via ECHL.TV.

The Solar Bears return to host the Everblades as they continue their fourth season in the ECHL, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A. on Sunday, Dec. 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the Amway Center.

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