Solar Bears submit 2021 Protected List to ECHL

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Solar Bears have announced its Protected List of players submitted to the ECHL. The team has included 26 players on its Protected List, which is comprised of 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goaltenders. 

FORWARDS: Tyler Bird, Jake Coughler, Jerry D’Amigo, Hunter Fejes, Michael Joly, Tad Kozun, Tristin Langan, Chris LeBlanc, Aaron Luchuk, Johno May, Brent Pedersen, J.J. Piccinich, Fabrizio Ricci, Ben Thomson 

DEFENSEMEN: Brandon Anselmini, Mark Auk, Cody Donaghey, Alexander Kuqali, Kevin Lohan, Luke McInnis, Tommy Panico, Matthew Spencer, Nolan Valleau 

GOALTENDERS: Michael Lackey, Kristian Oldham, Garret Sparks 

Any Player who had originally signed with one of the 12 Teams not participating in the 2020-21 Season, and went on to sign with one of the 2020-21 Active Teams, shall have his Player Rights revert back to the original Member Team’s Protected List. Any Player who was issued a Qualifying Offer by a Member that elected Pandemic Voluntary Suspension, but never signed the Qualifying Offer, shall be declared a Free Agent for the 2021-22 Season. Any Player signed as an Amateur prior to the 2020-21 Season (i.e. straight out of college or juniors with zero pro experience) whose Member Team elected to take Pandemic Voluntary Suspension, and who subsequently did not play in the ECHL during the 2020-21 Season, may be voluntarily omitted from his Member's Protected List without penalty.  Teams are allowed to protect as many players as they wish provided the players protected meet the guidelines as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association which state that teams shall retain the rights to each player that:  1. Signed an SPC in 2020-21 with the Member, and has not been traded or released, OR  2. Signed an SPC in 2020-21, and was recalled to the NHL/AHL or IIHF team, and has not been traded or released, OR  3. Had received a Qualifying Offer last summer for the current Season, DID NOT sign an SPC, and has not been traded or released, OR  4. Has been suspended by the Member or League, and has not been traded or released, OR  5. Signed an SPC on or after the first day of the 2020-21 Regular Season, then subsequently signed an NHL/AHL contract, and has not been traded or released, OR  6. Has executed the ECHL Retirement Form, and has not been traded or released.  Protected lists may exceed 20 players.   

The ECHL also announced that teams must complete all Future Consideration trades by 3 p.m. ET on July 5 and that teams must submit their Season-Ending Roster by 3 p.m. ET on July 8.  Season-ending rosters may include up to 20 players and cannot include any players who did not sign an ECHL contract in 2020-21. 

About the Orlando Solar Bears: 

The Orlando Solar Bears are the proud affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. In nine seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs five times. The Solar Bears are owned and operated by the Orlando Magic and the DeVos Family, and play at Amway Center, the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year. 

Officially licensed Orlando Solar Bears replica team jerseys, apparel, and headwear can be purchased at orlandosolarbearshockey.com/shop.