Tayler Thompson back for third season with Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have agreed to terms with forward Tayler Thompson for the 2019-20 season.

“Tayler has been a reliable presence for us on the ice and inside our locker room,” Solar Bears head coach and general manager Drake Berehowsky said. “Last season he showed he could be an impact player for us in a number of situations, and we expect him to bring that same compete level to our team for the coming season.”

Thompson, 26, returns to Orlando after posting 20 points (7g-13a) and 80 penalty minutes in 49 games during the 2018-19 regular season, his second campaign with the organization. Thompson netted an additional three goals and 12 penalty minutes in 10 games for the Solar Bears during the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

“I’m very excited to be coming back to Orlando. This will be my third year with the team, so I understand the expectations from Drake,” Thompson said. “I’ve seen we’ve already made some very strong signings, and I can’t wait for training camp to start.”

The 6-foot-1, 181-pound forward has 31 points (13g-18a) and 111 penalty minutes in 79 career ECHL games with the Solar Bears and Norfolk Admirals, and has also collected 83 points (23g-60a) and 188 penalty minutes in 112 games with the Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League. During the 2016-17 season with Fayetteville, Thompson was named to the SPHL First All-Star Team after leading the circuit in points (60) and assists (42). Thompson also has three games of overseas experience, suiting up for Brest Albatross in France.

Prior to turning pro, the Bredenbury, Saskatchewan native played one season at the University of Saskatchewan, where he registered five points (1g-4a) and 12 penalty minutes in 27 games. Thompson played major junior hockey for the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League, where he posted totals of 11 points (5g-6a) and 17 penalty minutes in 66 games. He also played Junior A for the Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, collecting 115 points (43g-72a) and 167 penalty minutes in 130 games and earning back-to-back SJHL titles in 2013 and 2014. During the 2013-14 campaign, Thompson helped Yorkton capture the RBC Cup for the Canadian National Junior A Championship.

Opening Night is Oct. 12:

The Orlando Solar Bears open their eighth season of ECHL hockey against the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Opening Night tickets are on sale via the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster  – CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO OPENING NIGHT.

2019-20 Season Ticket Memberships on Sale Now:

Upgrade to Solar Status and become a Season Ticket Member today. Season ticket memberships for the 2019-20 season are now on sale and start as little as $270 – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

2019-20 Season Presented by XYMOPrint:

The 2019-20 Orlando Solar Bears season is presented by XYMOPrint, Orlando’s digital printing experts. As a special offer, fans who call XYMOPrint at (888) 223-9390 from now until June 15, 2021 and reference the Solar Bears will receive 15% off their first order and a free Orlando Solar Bears poster!

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 seven 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.