
Solar Bears Sign Forwards Carson MacKinnon and Matthew Bazarin
December 21, 2023 - ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning, announced today (Dec. 20) the Hockey Club has agreed to terms with rookie forwards Carson MacKinnon and Matthew Bazarin on Standard Player Contracts.
MacKinnon, 24, has appeared in 19 ECHL games over two seasons for the Jacksonville Icemen, scoring two goals.
Prior to his professional career, MacKinnon played in 47 collegiate games over two seasons at the University of Prince Edward Island, scoring 29 points (7g-22a). The 6-foot-1, 172-pound forward played in 332 regular season and playoff games, scoring 163 points (61g-102a) in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Rimouski Oceanic and Gatineau Olympiques from 2015-2020.
Bazarin, 23, has appeared in seven games this season with the Baton Rouge Zydeco in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, tallying three assists and 58 penalty minutes. In 45 FPHL games over two seasons, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound forward scored 13 points (5g-8a) and racked up 242 penalty minutes.
Prior to his professional career, Bazarin played in four seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and Northern Ontario Hockey League (NOJHL). In 97 career junior games, the Roseneath, Ontario native scored 65 points (35g-30a), and piled up 300 penalty minutes.
Additionally, the Solar Bears have placed forward Patrick Newell on team suspension for the purpose of protecting his ECHL playing rights and removed him from the active roster.
The Orlando Solar Bears are proud to announce details of their second 'Underwear Toss Game' on Thursday, December 28 when the Solar Bears host the South Carolina Stingrays at AdventHealth Rink at the Kia Center.
Fans are encouraged to bring NEW and unused packages of underwear, boxers, socks, and undershirts to the game on December 28. When the Solar Bears score their first goal of the game, fans attending may throw the undergarments on the ice, just like the Teddy Bear Toss. The underwear will be collected and donated to The Sharing Center and Orlando Union Rescue Mission.
ECHL Stories from December 21, 2023
- Iowa Comes from Behind for 4-2 Win Over Fort Wayne - Iowa Heartlanders
- ECHL Transactions - December 21 - ECHL
- Gladiators Snap Losing Streak, Beat Swamp Rabbits - Atlanta Gladiators
- Connor Murphy Rejoins Rush, Assigned by Calgary - Rapid City Rush
- Stingrays Sign Ivan Lodnia - South Carolina Stingrays
- Solar Bears Sign Forwards Carson MacKinnon and Matthew Bazarin - Orlando Solar Bears
- Jacksonville Nets Late Goal, Downs Atlanta 3-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Mutter Scores Teddy Bear Toss Goal, Glads Fall 4-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Icemen Power Past Everblades with Stellar Special Teams Play - Jacksonville Icemen
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