ORLANDO, Fla. – New faces will be behind the Orlando Solar Bears bench when the first puck drops next Friday, Oct. 17, at the Kia Center.
Head Coach Matt Macdonald took over the Solar Bears in July. Macdonald played in the ECHL 2006-09 and won the Kelly Cup with Cincinnati in 2008. He also coached in the ECHL 2012-18.
Macdonald is hoping his years of experience will translate to success in Orlando.
“A lot of it is just coming in with the right mindset and trying not to get too high or too low,” Coach Macdonald said after practice Thursday. “Staying a little more even-keeled where when you’re a young guy, at times you get a little more emotional. Trying to even that out, but just experience and trying to bring a positive attitude every day.”
The Solar Bears have two preseason games against rival Florida Everblades Thursday and Friday. It’ll be the first games under their new head coach.
“[Coach Macdonald] has been through everything,” forward Anthony Bardaro said. “He’s seen it on the coaching level and on the playing level. This league is very unique; it’s a lot of movement and a lot of work. I think it’s a great opportunity for us to learn and to get a lot from him because he’s been through everything. He’s been to the [Kelly Cup Playoffs] championship, and that’s where we want to get to. I think he brings everything to the table; we just got to follow along.”
The Solar Bears host the Everblades in their season home opener.