Solar Bears Receive 19 Players from Marlies
October 6, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears, proud affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, have announced that the following players have been assigned to the club from the Marlies: Forwards - Erik Bradford, Christopher Clapperton, Eric Faille, Brett Findlay, T.J. Foster, Jack Rodewald, Matt Rupert, Nikolai Skladnichenko, Brady Vail and Patrick Watling; Defensemen - Zach Bell, Brenden Miller and Max Nicastro.
In addition, forwards Joe Basaraba, Matt Hatch and Lindsay Sparks, defensemen Eric Baier and Reggie Traccitto and goaltender Ryan Massa have all been released from their Professional Try-Out Agreements with the Marlies and will report to Solar Bears Training Camp.
Bradford, 20, will begin his first full professional campaign after appearing in three games with the Marlies at the end of last season, recording one goal. Prior to turning pro, the native of Orangville, Ontario posted 186 points (76g-110a) and 166 penalty minutes in 264 games split between the Ontario Hockey League's Barrie Colts, Ottawa 67's and Owen Sound Attack.
Bell, 22, played his first full pro season with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL last year, totaling six points (3g-3a) and 82 penalty minutes in 28 games. Prior to turning pro, the native of St. John's, Newfoundland accumulated 82 points (20g-62a) and 306 penalty minutes in 274 games with the OHL's Brampton Battalion and London Knights.
Clapperton, 21, will begin his first pro season after helping the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Rimouski Océanic to a league championship in 2014-15 with 76 points (35g-41a) and 77 penalty minutes. In 237 career QMJHL games with Rimouski and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, the Chandler, Quebec native has posted 270 points (113g-157a) and 243 penalty minutes.
Faille (FIGH), 26, recorded 54 points (27g-27a) and 11 penalty minutes in 45 games with the Fort Wayne Komets in his rookie campaign last season, while also adding six points (2g-4a) and two penalty minutes in 21 games with the AHL's Texas Stars.
Findlay, 22, returns to the Solar Bears organization after posting 41 points (18g-23a) and 32 penalty minutes in 45 games with Orlando last season.
Foster, 23, will begin his rookie pro season after potting 42 points (18g-24a) and eight penalty minutes with the University of Alberta last season. The native of Slave Lake, Alberta also compiled 257 point (102g-155a) and 107 penalty minutes with the Western Hockey League's Edmonton Oil Kings from 2008-13, helping Edmonton to a league championship in 2011-12.
Miller, 21, will begin his rookie pro season after racking up 55 points (19g-36a) and 91 penalty minutes in 65 games with the OHL's North Bay Battalion. In 248 career games with Brampton/North Bay, the Orangeville, Ontario native posted 129 points (37g-92a) and 286 penalty minutes.
Nicastro (nih-CASS-tro), 25, returns to the Solar Bears organization after posting 13 points (8g-5a) and 19 penalty minutes with Orlando last season. The Thousand Oaks, Calif. native was originally a third-round selection of the Detroit Red Wings (#91 overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Rodewald (RO-de-WALD), 21, made his pro debut with the Marlies last season, recording one assist and two penalty minutes in nine games. Prior to turning pro, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native accumulated 166 points (76g-90a) and 205 penalty minutes in 255 games with the WHL's Regina Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors.
Rupert, 21, made his pro debut with the Marlies last season, going pointless with two penalty minutes in two games. Prior to turning pro, the London, Ontario native posted 233 points (105g-128a) and 300 penalty minutes in 240 games with the OHL's London Knights and earned two league championships in 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Skladnichenko (SKLAD-nih-CHEN-ko), 21, will make his North American pro debut after skating in 16 games with the Kontinental Hockey League's Metallurg Novokuznetsk last season, tallying five point (4g-1a) and six penalty minutes. In 38 career KHL games, the native of Moskva, Russia has eight points (5g-3a) and 16 penalty minutes.
Vail, 21, returns to the Solar Bears organization after appearing in 64 games with Orlando in his rookie season, recording 29 points (15g-14a) and 33 penalty minutes. The Palm City, Fla. native was originally a fourth-round selection of the Montréal Canadiens (#94 overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Watling, 22, returns to the Solar Bears organization after appearing in 24 games with Orlando in his rookie season, posting 25 points (11g-14a) and 20 penalty minutes.
The Solar Bears Training Camp Roster is now as follows:
Forwards:
Defensemen:
Goalies:
Joe Basaraba
Erik Bradford
Christopher Clapperton
Tyler Currier
Matt Hatch
Eric Faille
Brett Findlay
T.J. Foster
Ludwig Karlsson
Johnny McInnis
Adam Reid
Jack Rodewald
Matt Rupert
Nikolai Skladnichenko
Torin Snydeman
Lindsay Sparks
Scott Tanski
Brady Vail
Scott Wamsganz
Patrick Watling
Eric Baier
Zach Bell
Myles Harvey
Michael Krieg (ATO)
Spencer McAvoy
Brenden Miller
Max Nicastro
Reggie Traccitto
Keegan Asmundson
Ryan Massa
The Solar Bears open their fourth season in the ECHL, presented by Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A. on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Amway Center against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Single-game tickets for the 2015-16 season are on sale now and can be purchased for as little as $15 at the Amway Center Box Office or online at OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com or Ticketmaster.com.
ECHL Stories from October 6, 2015
- Nailers, WesBanco Arena Announce New Concessions - Wheeling Nailers
- Everblades Receive Four Players from AHL Training Camps - Florida Everblades
- AHL Syracuse Sends Dodero and York to Greenville - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Return of $1 Dog/$1 Beer Fridays, Genesis Jersey Auctions Highlight Mallards' Promotion Schedule - Quad City Mallards
- Forward Ben Walker Re-Assigned to Tulsa - Tulsa Oilers
- ECHL Transactions - October 6 - ECHL
- Mallards Trim Training Camp Roster - Quad City Mallards
- Kalamazoo Adds to Blue Line with NHL Veteran; Four Players Returned from AHL - Kalamazoo Wings
- Solar Bears Receive 19 Players from Marlies - Orlando Solar Bears
- Steelheads Add Three Players to Camp Roster - Idaho Steelheads
- Team India Announces Roster Ahead of Historic Match - Brampton Beast
- Jackals Training Camp Roster Grows by Five - Elmira Jackals
- Cyclones Receive Eight from AHL Camps - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Solar Bears Defenseman Carl Nielsen Announces Retirement - Orlando Solar Bears
- Royals Add Two to Training Camp Roster - Reading Royals
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.
