Tampa Bay Lightning Reassign Forward Cooper Flinton to Syracuse Crunch from Orlando Solar Bears
AHL Syracuse Crunch

Tampa Bay Lightning Reassign Forward Cooper Flinton to Syracuse Crunch from Orlando Solar Bears

Published on February 2, 2026 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Tampa Bay Lightning have reassigned forward Cooper Flinton to the Syracuse Crunch from the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, Crunch General Manager and Head Coach Joel Bouchard announced today. Additionally, the Crunch have recalled forward Spencer Kersten from the Solar Bears

Flinton, 22, has played in 23 games with the Crunch this season, recording one goal. He has also skated in eight games with the Solar Bears.

Last season, the 6-foot-2, 213 pound forward appeared in four games with the Crunch, tallying one goal, after skating in 32 games with Dartmouth College where he recorded 11 goals and 24 points with two shorthanded tallies and four on the power play. Among all Dartmouth skaters during the 2024-25 season, Flinton ranked fourth for points and assists while his 11 goals were tied for third. The Auburn, New Hampshire, native appeared in 89 career games with the Big Green, logging 32 goals and 64 points with five game-winners and 11 goals with the man advantage.

Flinton was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the seventh round, 211th overall, at the 2021 NHL Draft.

Kersten, 25, has skated in two games with the Crunch this season. He has also played in 35 games with the Solar Bears tallying 18 goals and 21 assists. Kersten played in nine games with the Crunch last season posting one goal. He additionally skated in two games with the Belleville Senators and 60 games with the Solar Bears, earning 25 goals and 55 points to set the Solar Bears rookie single-season scoring record.

The Waterloo, Ontario native has appeared in 13 career AHL games with the Crunch and Senators, tallying one goal, and 105 career ECHL games, all with Orlando, since 2023 recording 100 points (45g, 55a). Prior to his professional career, Kersten spent three seasons at Princeton University from 2019 to 2023 and one season at Bowling Green State University in 2023-24. He totaled 54 points (24g, 30a) in 129 career collegiate games.

Ticket packages for the 2025-26 season are on sale now and can be purchased in person at the Crunch office located inside the Upstate Medical University Arena at Onondaga County War Memorial at 800 S. State St. in Syracuse, by calling the office at 315-473-4444 or online through Ticketmaster. For the latest Crunch news, visit www.syracusecrunch.com or follow the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch), X (@SyracuseCrunch) and Instagram (@syracusecrunch).

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American Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2026


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