Solar Bears come to terms with forward Joe Perry

Orlando hockey team drops puck on season Oct. 22

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears, an affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL’s Toronto Marlies, have agreed to terms with forward Joe Perry for the 2016-17 season.

“Adding a player like Joe Perry gives us another proven scorer at this level,” Solar Bears head coach Anthony Noreen said. “He’s a hard-nosed, honest player who will also add to our team’s character.”

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Perry, 27, split the 2015-16 season with the Alaska Aces and Fort Wayne Komets, finishing the season with 26 points (13g-13a) and 13 penalty minutes in 44 games. While in Fort Wayne, Perry was teammates with current Solar Bears players Paul Crowder and Brock Montgomery.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the Solar Bears,” Perry said. “After speaking with current and former players and the current coaching staff, I am convinced that Orlando has exactly what I am looking for as a hockey program, both on and off the ice.”

In 104 professional games, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound forward has racked up 70 points (39g-31a) and 77 penalty minutes with the Quad City Mallards, Iowa Wild, Alaska and Fort Wayne.

Prior to turning pro, Perry capped a four-year collegiate career in 2013-14 with Division III powerhouse St. Norbert College, leading the program to the NCAA championship in his senior season, adding to the national titles won in his freshman and sophomore seasons. The Nanaimo, British Columbia native led the nation that season with 24 goals, finishing his time with the Green Knights by accumulating 106 points (50g-56a) and 91 penalty minutes in 115 career games.

The Solar Bears drop the puck on their fifth season of ECHL hockey on Oct. 22 against the Florida Everblades at the Amway Center.