BIG NEWS for hockey fans in the Orlando, Tampa Bay Lightning VP and GM Steve Yzerman announced today that The Tampa Bay Lightning have entered into a three-year affiliation agreement with the OrlandoSolar Bears of the ECHL.
“We are extremely happy to welcome the Orlando Solar Bears into the Lightning organization today,” Yzerman said. “The Solar Bears organization has demonstrated a strong commitment to success that has paid off with numerous playoff appearances. We look forward to being a part of their future accomplishments while also developing our prospects in a world class environment.”
Added Dan DeVos, chairman of the Orlando Magic, “This is a great day for the Orlando Solar Bears. We couldn’t be more excited to form this partnership with a model franchise like the Tampa Bay Lightning.”
The Lightning will play a preseason game in Orlando on Thursday September 27th. It will be the team’s third exhibition game at the Amway Center, home of the Orlando Solar Bears, and their seventh appearance there overall. Tampa Bay’s most recent game at Amway Center was September 18, 2013, a 4-3 shootout win against the St. Louis Blues