Orlando Solar Bears Audio Network

On this episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by Chris Bradley, who joined the Solar Bears late in the 2015-16 season out of R.P.I. and returned to Orlando for his first and only full professional season in 2016-17. Chris discusses his upbringing in Western New York, his time in Youngstown in the USHL, representing Team USA on the international stage, his time as the big man on campus in Troy, New York, and his current day-to-day in the medical sales industry and his life as a father of two young girls.

On the latest episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we catch up with former Solar Bears forward Nicklas Lindberg, who joined Orlando during the 2015-16 campaign for what would be the final season of his playing career. He discusses growing up in Sweden and making his transition to North America in the mid-2000s, where he got his start in the ECHL for the Pensacola Ice Pilots, his friendships along the way with several veteran minor league players who also suited up for the Solar Bears and his current work as a skills development coach and living in Florida as a happily married father of two.

On this episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by former Solar Bears forward Alex Gacek, who led the team in scoring during his three-month tenure with the club as a rookie during the 2016-17 season. The New Englander talks about his upbringing, including his lobster-fishing side hustle as youngster, playing for the "Brotherhood" at Miami University, realizing his dream of suiting up for his hometown Boston Bruins in an NHL preseason game and his current role as an assistant coach at Wentworth Institute of Technology.

On the latest episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by David Fine, broadcaster of the Iowa Heartlanders as NHL free agency opens this week, and we look at some of the early names to have signed with new teams.

While the Solar Bears are in Las Vegas for ECHL summer meetings, we catch up with Orlando Solar Bears head coach Matt Carkner and get his thoughts on becoming the next bench boss for the club.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we are joined by ECHL senior vice president of hockey operations, Joe Ernst, who has been involved with the league for over three decades. He discusses his upbringing in western New York and his time as a member of the Buffalo Sabres equipment staff, his longtime work as a veteran of over 1,000 games refereed in the ECHL, and the current state of officiating in the game of hockey today.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by Solar Bears season ticket account executive Sheyla Junqueira, who discusses how she established a love of hockey as a child of immigrant parents, and hockey's continued growth and presence within the LGBTQ+ community.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Jesse is joined by J.M. Piotrowski, who registered his first career ECHL point with an assist in his lone game for the Solar Bears this season, then went on to capture an SPHL President's Cup with the Peoria Rivermen, notching the cup-clinching goal for Peoria earlier this month. Piotrowski's family ties to the Solar Bears are also discussed, along with the current TV trends in the Stanley Cup Playoffs along with his new clothing line.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Solar Bears president Chris Heller joins us for the opening segment to provide an update on the search for the club's next head coach, while this episode's guest is defenseman Bryce Aneloski, who skated with the Solar Bears from 2013-15 and established himself as one of Orlando's best two-way defensemen after attempting to break into the lineup as a rookie.

On the latest episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Jesse and Adam recap the 2021-22 season, and delve into the experience of working the 2022 ECHL All-Star Classic in Jacksonville, and debate Adam's All-Decade team for the Solar Bears.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by defenseman Chris Harpur, who joined the Solar Bears in mid-March as he began his professional career after wrapping up a five-year stretch at Niagara University. The defenseman talks about his Australian heritage on his mother's side, his relationship with his older brother (NHL defenseman Ben Harpur) and how he has juggled adapting from college hockey to the professional ranks while completing his graduate degree in sports management.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by forward Brian Bowen, acquired by the team just prior to the ECHL trade deadline. While the forward is sidelined by an injury after appearing in four games to begin his Solar Bears career, we talk about the winding road that has brought him to a breakout season of over 20 goals in the ECHL.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Jesse is joined by one of the latest acquisitions of the Solar Bears, forward Ross Olsson. The Massachusetts native talks about his whirlwind junior career, coming back home to be part of a brand new college program at Endicott College, his love of golf and an attempt to settle the timeless debate of whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich.

Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Odeen Tufto joins us on this week's edition of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. Tufto, a former captain at Quinnipiac University, signed with the Lightning in the spring of 2021, and scored a goal and two assists in his first game with the Solar Bears in mid-January. The Chaska, Minnesota native discusses his upbringing, his time winning a state championship in high school, his love of the Austin Powers movies, and his musical talent.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by rookie forward Jackson Keane, who joined the Solar Bears for his first full season of pro hockey after getting into nine games with the Wheeling Nailers following a three-year stint at the University of North Dakota. The son of three-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Keane, Jackson talks about his time growing up in Winnipeg, his friendship with Solar Bears teammate Odeen Tufto and how he has adjusted to the ups and downs of pro hockey.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by Craig LeVasseur, who has been with the Solar Bears organization for each of the past 10 seasons - having worked as a game-night locker room attendant, assistant equipment manager and even as the team's emergency backup goaltender.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by Joe Babik, director of communications for the ECHL. The 2007-08 broadcaster of the year was behind the microphone for two former ECHL clubs, the Pee Dee Pride and Fresno Falcons, and talks about how the league has evolved, how he helps maintain the league's brand as the premier Double-A hockey league in North America and crisis management.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by Orlando Solar Bears defenseman Steven Oleksy. The former NHL blueliner discusses his time at the major league level, how he got his start in pro hockey after college, what he did with his day with the Stanley Cup, and his entrepreneurial spirit.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we catch up with Chris Crane, who joined the Solar Bears early the 2016-17 season and helped the team qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in both seasons in Orlando. After retiring following the 2019-20 season, Crane has settled into civilian life, where he works for the United States defense department alongside the United States Air Force, continuing in his family's long tradition of involvement with the armed forces.

In this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Cody Donaghey checks in from the city of Kladno in the Czech Republic, where he is currently playing alongside his team's owner, NHL legend Jaromir Jagr.

Adam Phillips is this week's guest on Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. The defenseman patrolled the blue line for the Orlando Solar Bears during the 2017-18 season, and was part of the first Solar Bears squad to advance to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs when that group swept the South Carolina Stingrays that spring. After hanging up his skates the following season, Phillips became an assistant coach with the NAHL's Odessa Jackalopes, before being elevated to interim head coach just prior to the pandemic. After accepting an assistant coaching position with NCAA Division III program Adrian College the following summer, Phillips has helped guide the Bulldogs to a 20-game winning streak, with Adrian entering this week ranked as the No. 1 program in the nation.

The Orlando Solar Bears have hit the halfway mark of the 2021-22 season and now get set to dig into a busy home schedule this week, starting with a game against the Mountain Division-leading Utah Grizzlies as part of Pink Whitney Night. We're joined on this week of Bear Tracks presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka with Solar Bears rookie skater Braydon Barker, who began the season on defense but has since been converted to forward and has enjoyed his new role in his first year of professional hockey.

After pushing a season-high winning streak to five games last week, the Solar Bears now head north to Portland to take on the Maine Mariners. On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by Hunter Fejes, who returned to the Solar Bears in December after spending the last two and a half seasons in Europe. The forward recounts some of his experiences overseas, along with what it's like growing up in Alaska as part of a unique hockey community, and gives Jesse travel tips for the Alaska wilderness.

After over a week between games, the Orlando Solar Bears have gotten back to work, winning a Monday night clash with the South Carolina Stingrays and have now won four straight. On this episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we catch up with forward Jake Transit, who joined the Solar Bears out of Ferris State University in mid-December and promptly found the back of the net in his first two games. Jake shares his hockey journey from Michigan to what the past month has been like since making the jump to pro hockey.

As we ring in the New Year on Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Jesse Liebman recaps the bounce-back week the Solar Bears enjoyed, winning all three games against their opponents, while Hunter Fejes earned ECHL Player of the Week honors and Hugo Alnefelt made his NHL debut. Jesse is joined by Solar Bears defenseman Andrew McLean, and the two discuss his hockey journey from Michigan, along with his love of metal, his pre-game workout routine, and his love of skateboarding.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by Nick Niedert, who suited up as the Solar Bears backup goaltender on November 7, 2012 - a brief stop in a minor league playing career that stretched across 17 seasons with dozens of teams across multiple leagues. Niedert has since traded his skates for a whistle, now serving as head coach of the SPHL expansion Vermilion County Bobcats.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, the Solar Bears head out to Texas where they will swing through the Mountain Division and take on the Allen Americans and Tulsa Oilers to complete a six-game road trip. Host Jesse Liebman is joined by forward Steenn Pasichnuk, and the two discuss Pasichnuk's time growing up in Alberta, the importance of family, his first two years of professional hockey, practicing on a line with an NHLer and his latest interest in the stock market and cryptocurrencies.

Defenseman Eric Drapluk hops on this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Drapluk patrolled the Solar Bears blue line during the 2019-20 season, his final in pro hockey after spending the rest of his career with the Tulsa Oilers. Now retired and back in his hometown of Pembroke Pines, the Florida native talks about his path to pro hockey, and his current career in the solar energy industry.

On the latest episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, forward Tyler Murovich hops on the podcast, to talk about his upbringing and the explosion of hockey in his native Pittsburgh, along with his time with the Solar Bears between the 2013-15 seasons.

We wish you a happy Thanksgiving for this episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. Play-by-play broadcaster Jesse Liebman is joined by former Solar Bears forward and Satellite Beach, Florida native Ian Slater, who spent the 2013-14 season with the club, where he set a then single-season record for the team with 155 penalty minutes. The two discuss Ian's Florida upbringing, his early mentors in his hockey career, how the relationship with his coach in Trenton brought him to Orlando, the experience of playing in front of family and friends and more, including his retired life in Key West.

As the Solar Bears prepare to host the Maine Mariners, we catch up with former defenseman and captain Carl Nielsen on this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. Now retired from his playing days, Carl has returned to his hometown of Lorain, Ohio, where he is now runs the family jewelry business that has existed for several generations. We catch up with Carl to recount his time in Orlando after beginning his ECHL career with the rival Florida Everblades, the personalities in the locker room during the 2014-15 All-Star season, how a hockey romance blossomed thanks to the matchmaking of a former teammate and what it's like to be involved in the jewelry industry.

As the Orlando Solar Bears are in the middle of a five games in six days stretch, Jesse Liebman catches up with former Solar Bears forward Tayler Thompson, now playing overseas in the United Kingdom for the Manchester Storm, in the latest episode of Bear Tracks presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. Since last suiting up for Orlando in 2019-20, Thompson, a fan favorite during his time in Orlando, has gotten married and welcomed the birth of his daughter.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Jesse is joined by goaltender Brad Barone, who joined the team just prior to opening night of the 2021-22 season and is slated to get his first start this week as the Solar Bears are in Norfolk for a two-game set with the Admirals.

On this week's episode of the Bear Tracks podcast, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Jesse catches up with defenseman Sam Jardine, a member of the 2017-18 Solar Bears squad that advanced to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Sam is currently playing overseas in Slovakia for the Bratislava Capitals of the central European ICEHL and shares his experience in Orlando and the current season, along with some recent hobbies he has picked up.

As the Solar Bears prepare for the start of the 2021-22 season, play-by-play host is joined by one of the newest members of the team's defense, ECHL veteran Chad Duchesne, on the latest episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka.

In the latest episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Jesse Liebman is joined by Solar Bears ticket account executive Christa Hinn, who grew up attending games of the original IHL Solar Bears and skating at the RDV Sportsplex. A half-Canadian and ardent Toronto Maple Leafs fan, Christa has dove headfirst into working in professional hockey since originally starting as an intern with the Solar Bears.

The latest episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney, is one you definitely don't want to miss. As training camp for the 2021-22 season prepares to open for the Orlando Solar Bears, Jesse Liebman is joined by forward Dylan Fitze, who has joined the Solar Bears for his second stint with Orlando after previously suiting up for the club from 2018-20. The two talk about his initial tenure with the Solar Bears, how he got through a pandemic season without a team to play for, what he was listening to in his car on the drive back to Orlando, how he'd replace the shootout.

In this episode of Bear Tracks presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we catch up with defenseman Brenden Miller, who began his professional career with the Solar Bears between 2015-17 while a prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs development system. In his sophomore year, Miller set a single-season club record for goals by a defenseman with Orlando, and has since seen his career take him across several ECHL clubs, as well as overseas.

Brock Montgomery played for the Orlando Solar Bears over the course of two stints with the club in 2014-15 and 2016-17. The former Solar Bears forward joins Jesse Liebman for this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, to reflect on the grind of playing in the ECHL, along with his experiences of traveling throughout Europe and throughout the world as part of his new outdoor lifestyle company.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Jesse is joined by former Solar Bears goaltender Rob Madore, who played the majority of his final season of pro hockey with Orlando in 2015-16.

Orlando Solar Bears vice president of ticket operations and client services Chris Carmichael joins Jesse Liebman on this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. The two discuss Carmichael's decade with the Solar Bears organization as the team approaches its 10th season of ECHL competition.

On this episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Tyler Bird joins the show after signing for this third season with the Orlando Solar Bears.

In this episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Solar Bears play-by-play broadcaster Jesse Liebman is joined in-studio by defenseman Alexander Kuqali, who is spending the week as a guest instructor at the Solar Bears youth hockey camp at the RDV Sportsplex. The two talk about the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the growth of hockey in Florida, Kuqali's travel plans this summer and what lies ahead for the defenseman.

On this episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Solar Bears play-by-play voice Jesse Liebman is joined by defenseman Alex Gudbranson, who played for the Solar Bears during the 2017-18 season and won a Kelly Cup the following year with the Newfoundland Growlers. The former blueliner has announced his retirement from professional hockey and is now pursuing a career in the Canadian Armed Forces.

On this episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Orlando Solar Bears play-by-play voice Jesse Liebman is joined by the team's athletic trainer, Brian DeAlmeida, who joined the Solar Bears several games into the 2020-21 season in his first athletic training job in professional hockey.

In the latest episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, we're joined by 2001 Turner Cup champion goaltender Norm Maracle and we reminisce about the final season of the IHL and how Maracle dominated the league that season, winning honors as the circuit's top goaltender and MVP in both the regular season and playoffs.

On this episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, defenseman Matthew Spencer talks about his time in Orlando, his recent offensive surge and his willingness to drop the gloves this season, along with his driving habits, his quasi-love of disc golf and the next live music performance he intends to see post-pandemic.

Orlando Solar Bears defenseman Nolan Valleau joins us for this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka. The sixth-year pro recounts how his dog Otis became a part of his life, his journey back to Orlando for the 2020-21 season and how he has adjusted to being one of the elder statesmen in the locker room.

The latest episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka features forward Anthony Repaci, who joins Jesse Liebman to discuss his first season of professional hockey after initially signing with the Worcester Railers before joining the Solar Bears in early March.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Solar Bears play-by-play voice Jesse Liebman catches up with rookie forward Joseph Garreffa, who joined the team in mid-March following a re-assignment from the AHL's San Jose Barracuda. The Toronto native discusses his time growing up in Toronto, playing in the Ontario Hockey League for two storied clubs in the Kitchener Rangers and Ottawa 67's, his friendship with teammate Anthony Repaci and how he got his start in figure skating.

On this week's episode of Bear Tracks, presented by Pink Whitney by New Amsterdam Vodka, Solar Bears play-by-play voice Jesse Liebman is joined by fourth-year pro Fabrizio Ricci, and the two discuss food, Toronto real estate, soccer and what it was like playing in Europe before returning to North America to play in the ECHL.