Solar Bears add former University of North Dakota forward

Connor Gaarder played in Norway in 2015-16

The Orlando Solar Bears' new foward Connor Gaarder played junior hockey in the North Iowa Outlaws and Coulee Region Chill, amassing 87 points (37g-50a) and 125 penalty minutes in 116 career games.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears announced Tuesday that the club has agreed to terms with rookie forward Connor Gaarder for the 2016-17 season.

Gaarder, 25, joins the Solar Bears after spending the 2015-16 season overseas with Frisk Asker of Norway’s GET-ligaen, where he posted 36 points (18g-18a) and 20 penalty minutes in 45 games.

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“Connor Gaarder is a high-energy, high-character player,” Solar Bears head coach Anthony Noreen said. “He plays hard every shift and has a knack for scoring big goals.”

Prior to turning pro, the 5-foot-10, 194-pound forward played four seasons of collegiate hockey from 2011-15 with the University of North Dakota, where he was teammates with current Solar Bears forward Coltyn Sanderson. In 151 games with the Fighting Hawks program, Gaarder racked up 58 points (27g-31a) and 97 penalty minutes and helped the program capture a WCHA title in 2011-12. During the 2013-14 season, he also scored the double-overtime game-winning goal against Ferris State University that sent North Dakota to the Frozen Four.

“I wanted to win a championship and I think the Solar Bears provide the best opportunity for me to do that,” Gaarder said. “I’m eager to get down to Orlando for training camp.”

The native of Edina, Minnesota. played junior hockey in the NAHL with the North Iowa Outlaws and Coulee Region Chill, amassing 87 points (37g-50a) and 125 penalty minutes in 116 career games. During his time with North Iowa, he was teammates with current Solar Bears defenseman Ben Danford.


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