Syracuse Crunch Loan Forward Spencer Kersten, Defenseman Chris Harpur to the Solar Bears

April 1, 2026 - ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, announced today the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL) have loaned forward Spencer Kersten and defenseman Chris Harpur to the Orlando Solar Bears. Additionally, the Solar Bears have released defenseman Mike Ladyman. In 110 ECHL games, the Waterloo, Ontario native has 101 points (46g-55a). Kersten has also appeared in 19 AHL games over two seasons with Belleville and Syracuse posting two goals. Kersten signed a one... Full Story

Braden Birnie Signs PTO with Abbotsford Canucks

April 1, 2026 - (RAPID CITY, S.D.) - The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames, announced Wednesday, in an Active Life Chiropractic roster adjustment, Braden Birnie is joining the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks on a Professional Tryout contract (PTO). Birnie, 24, signed with the Rush on March 9th and has impressed in his first month of professional hockey. The 6-foot-3, 192-pound winger has recorded six points (2g+4a) in his first nine pro games. He scored his first pro goal on March 14th and has two multi-point per... Full Story

Syracuse Crunch Loan Forward Spencer Kersten, Defenseman Chris Harpur to Orlando Solar Bears

April 1, 2026 - SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Crunch have loaned forward Spencer Kersten and defenseman Chris Harpur to the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, General Manager and Head Coach Joel Bouchard announced today. Kersten, 25, has skated in eight games with the Crunch this season recording one goal. He has also played in 40 games with the Solar Bears tallying 19 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 game... Full Story

Abbotsford Canucks Sign Birnie to PTO

April 1, 2026 - Abbotsford Canucks General Manager, Ryan Johnson, announced today that the club has signed forward Braden Birnie to a professional try-out agreement. Birnie, 24, recently made his professional hockey debut with the ECHL's Rapid City Rush on March 12 and has since recorded six points (two goals, four assists) in his first nine pro games played. Prior to joining Rapid City, the 6'2, 192-pound winger completed his fourth and final collegiate season in 2025-26 with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA-Independent), record... Full Story

• ECHL Transactions - April 1 - (ECHL) April 1
  
• Syracuse Crunch Loan Forward Spencer Kersten, Defenseman Chris Harpur to the Solar Bears - Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) April 1
  
• Braden Birnie Signs PTO with Abbotsford Canucks - Rapid City Rush (ECHL) April 1
  
• Demetrious Koumontzis Raising Funds for the Black Child Development Institute - Greensboro Gargoyles (ECHL) April 1
  
• Syracuse Crunch Loan Forward Spencer Kersten, Defenseman Chris Harpur to Orlando Solar Bears - Syracuse Crunch (AHL) April 1
  
• Abbotsford Canucks Sign Birnie to PTO - Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) April 1
  
• Gargoyles Weekly Update: April 1, 2026 - Greensboro Gargoyles (ECHL) April 1
  
• Panthers Recall Hovorka and Bjornfot from Checkers - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) April 1
  
• Henderson's Trevor Connelly Named Upper Deck AHL Rookie of the Month - (AHL) April 1
  
• Remi Poirier Named AHL Goaltender of the Month for March - Texas Stars (AHL) April 1
  
• Texas' Rémi Poirier Named AHL Goaltender of the Month - (AHL) April 1
  
• Jordan Sambrook Plus Performer of the Month - Florida Everblades (ECHL) April 1
  
• Bears Drop 4-1 Decision to Islanders - Hershey Bears (AHL) April 1
  
• The Family 4 Pack Returns on April 11 - Columbus River Dragons (FPHL) April 1
  
• Bison Sign Defenseman Mason Wheeler - Bloomington Bison (ECHL) April 1
  
• All Today's Minor League Hockey News

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OurSports Central provides coverage of the following independent and minor league minor league hockey organizations:

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• Forward Milne, defenseman Truscott assigned to the Walleye from Grand Rapids - ECHL Toledo Blade (April 1)
  
• AHL team to use expanded Harry Howell Arena as training rink - AHL Hamilton Spectator (April 1)
  
• Adirondack Thunder set weekend attendance record at Harding Mazzotti Arena - ECHL Glens Falls Post-Star (April 1)
  
• Quad City Storm to play final 2 games of regular season this weekend at home - SPHL KWQC (April 1)
  
• Hamilton-area Today: Local news this morning - AHL Hamilton Spectator (April 1)
  
• IceCats' Marcinkevics makes unique trek to Wytheville - FPHL Florence Morning News (April 1)
  
• Local Indy sports events that won't break the bank - ECHL NewsBreak - Indianapolis (April 1)
  
• RoughRiders secure home-ice advantage for USHL playoffs - ECHL Cedar Rapids Gazette (April 1)
  
• Komets carry six-game win streak into meetings against red hot Wheeling, Iowa - ECHL Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (April 1)
  
• Canadiens defenceman Alexandre Carrier out 2-4 weeks with lower-body injury - AHL Hamilton Spectator (March 31)
  
• Mavericks sweep home-and-home with Wichita, close in on franchise record for points in a season - ECHL Independence Examiner (March 31)
  
• Adirondack Thunder set weekend attendance record - ECHL Troy Record (March 31)
  
• All Today's Minor League Hockey Headlines