Taylor Doherty, Jacob Cardwell sign with Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have announced that the club has agreed to terms with defensemen Taylor Doherty and Jacob Cardwell for the 2019-20 season.

Doherty, 28, makes his return to North America after spending the 2018-19 season under contract with HC Bílí Tygři Liberec of the Czech Extraliga, where he tallied six points (1g-5a) and 38 penalty minutes in 50 regular season games, helping his team clinch the regular season title. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound bluliner then skated in all 17 playoff matches for Liberec as the club reached the league finals before falling to HC Oceláři Třinec, four games to two.

Doherty previously suited up for the Solar Bears during the 2016-17 season, when he skated in 30 regular season games, logging 15 points (3g-12a) and 86 penalty minutes. The defenseman also recorded a +21 rating which tied for the team lead and set a new club single-season record. Doherty then led Orlando’s defensive corps in playoff scoring with seven points (4g-3a) and 15 penalty minutes in seven playoff contests.

The veteran blueliner has spent the majority of his career in the American Hockey League, appearing in 257 contests with Providence, Toronto and Worcester, netting 43 points (7g-36a) and 397 penalty minutes. In 149 career ECHL games with Orlando, Atlanta and Rapid City, Doherty has collected 58 points (17g-41a) and 207 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, the Cambridge, Ontario, native spent his major junior career with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs, where he registered totals 137 points (38g-99a) and 458 penalty minutes in 263 games.

Doherty was originally selected by the San Jose Sharks in the second round (#57 overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Cardwell, 27, played for Czech Extraliga club HC Dynamo Pardubice during the 2018-19 season, totaling 11 points (2g-9a) and 77 penalty minutes in 34 regular season games, and added two penalty minutes in three playoff contests.

The 6-foot-3, 209-pound defenseman has 131 combined games of professional experience with Pardubice and Slovakian club HC Nové Zámky, totaling 52 points (12g-40a) and 179 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, the native of Niagara Falls, Ontario played in the Canadian University system for both Brock University and Carleton University, posting combined totals of 35 points (10g-25a) and 46 penalty minutes in 40 games.

Cardwell played major junior hockey for the Belleville Bulls, Ottawa 67’s and Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League, where he collected 106 points (27g-79a) and 253 penalty minutes in 270 games.

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. Single-game tickets for all Solar Bears home games are now on sale at the Amway Center box office and Ticketmaster. CLICK HERE to download the calendar for the 2019-20 season.

Pre-Order New Jerseys:

The Orlando Solar Bears will wear new jerseys for the 2019-20 season. An extremely limited quantity of replica jerseys are available for pre-order online, with adult sizes available for $149.95 and youth sizes available for $109.95. Fans can visit bit.ly/OSBJerseys to place a pre-order today.

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.