Solar Bears Tout Top-Selling Jerseys

Orlando's ECHL expansion team tops league jersey sales

The Orlando Solar Bears have a little something to be proud of. On Wednesday, the team announced it has the top-selling jerseys in the ECHL. The league recently informed the team of this impressive accomplishment.

Credits: Photo (left) from Solar Bears (official website); photo (right) by Stephen Sylvanie (via Facebook)

From the Solar Bears' press release:

"Here at the League Office, we have been very impressed with the support the great hockey fans in Orlando and the surrounding communities have shown for the Solar Bears," said Todd Merton, Director of Marketing and Licensing for the ECHL. "Team jersey sales are a great indicator of how well a team has been welcomed into a market. With the Solar Bears being at the top of the league in jerseys sold, it is clear that the team has been welcomed back in a big way."

If you don't live in Orlando, you can buy your Solar Bears jersey from the team's online shop.

Solar Bears to auction military-themed jerseys on Saturday

Photos from Solar Bears (via Facebook)

Last month, the Solar Bears wore the first in a series of specialty jerseys they'll don throughout the season. On Veterans' Day weekend, they celebrated military vets with these camouflage sweaters. During this Saturday's game, MeiGray will conduct an in-arena auction of those game worn jerseys.

Six specialty sweaters on the schedule for Orlando

While we're on the subject of Solar Bears jerseys, it's worth pointing out that the team has several more specialty designs scheduled to be worn as this season continues. Here's a look at them all:

• Camouflage Jersey: Nov. 10 and 11 (Military Appreciation Weekend)
• Scout Jersey: Dec. 8; March 2 (Scout Night)
• Pink Jersey: Jan. 17 and 19 (Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend)
• Vintage Jersey: Feb. 2 (2001 Championship Banner Raising)
• Old Time Jersey: Feb. 22 (Turn Back the Clock Night); March 24 (Fan Appreciation Night)
• Special Jersey: March 17 (St. Patrick's Day Theme Night)

We'll have to keep an eye on these theme nights in Orlando to see what the Solar Bears will be wearing. I'm particularly excited to see their "Vintage Jersey" on the night they raise their 2001 championship banner. The Solar Bears won the last Turner Cup championship as a member of the International Hockey League before it merged with the AHL.

I say "last" but technically the Fort Wayne Komets were the last to win the Turner Cup because the trophy was resurrected when the IHL was in 2007. But then the league shut down again for good in 2010. The Komets won the Turner Cup in all three seasons. They then joined the Central Hockey League and this season were admitted into the ECHL. Turner Cup champs together again. But I digress.

What do you think of the Solar Bears' jerseys? As the NHL slowly kills itself, do you imagine taking on a minor league team to cheer for? If so, would you buy that team's jersey?

Comments

[Nick]

I'm a season ticket holder for Orlando. I own the purple one but I want a camoflauge one reallly bad, it's just subtle enough to not be obnoxious but the design is still solid. Happy to see there's gonna be more specialty jerseys on the way, too. Can't wait for the Old School Jerseys.

[JD]

Correction: As the NHL QUICKLY kills itself off.... As a resident of Calgary, where we get real winter, snow, freezing temperatures and pond hockey every winter, I am quite surprised that Orlando has the best selling jerseys. I guess everyone wants an orange and purple jersey with the Coca-Cola bear in sunglasses!

[ryan]

I love the Solar Bears jerseys. They remind me of a time when hockey in the south was a new and exciting development and not a drain on the NHL. It was a time of interesting experiments in NHL jerseys, and while I don't know if it had a positive effect overall, all the new teams and jerseys looked cool to me (as a 12 year old).

I started cheering for the Abbotsford Heat during the lockout because I grew up there. Unfortunately, due to the fact that they have about the worst logo in all of hockey, I can't bring myself to buy anything.

[Jeannette]

I am happy that the Solar Bears jersey are selling well. I used to go to the Bears games with my dad when I was young. I do own the old school jersey (the road one) and I hope I can get the new one sometime soon! These jersey put the Wranglers to shame, and I am happy I got to see the Bears back on ice again, especially last week when they were in town to play against the Wranglers. Sadly the Bears lost.. =(

However, that remind me.. Chris, when I was watching the Bears playing against the Wranglers last week. I noticed that Joe Fallon (Wranglers Goalie) was wearing a black short while the rest of the team wearing red.. With the black short it does look better along with the jersey, instead of the reds! I don't know if that's a permanent for goalies, I need to go to the game again and see if he and the backup wearing black shorts.

[Aaron from Colorado]

I am from the great hockey state of Colorado and enjoy living on the front range where hockey is abundant. During this lockout, I have supported the Colorado College Tigers who have some of the best uniforms in the WCHA. I'm shocked that college hockey gets no respect on this blog, but I digress...

I am lucky to have two minor league teams within 2.5 hours of me, the Denver Cutthroats and the Colorado Eagles. I do own some Eagle swag and they have great jerseys that are must haves. I haven't made it to a Cutthroat game but I wouldn't mind buying one of their jerseys at some point. When I look at all the area hockey teams (Denver University Pioneers, Air Force Falcons, Colorado College Tigers, and the 2 minor league teams), all the teams have great jerseys.

[BlueCityNotes]

I've been trying to follow the Peoria Rivermen during the lockout because they're the Blues affiliate. If the lockout continues much longer I might have to take the 2.5 hour trip from St. Louis to see a couple games. I'm not really a fan of the branding but they've got a little history in a few different leagues so that helps, but the current jerseys are...well, I'll just say I haven't been able to bring myself to drop the cash to add one to my collection.

[Jab]

I'm mainly a traditionalist of sports unis but I also love when purple and teal is done right (usually in the minority here lol) and that goes for these bears jerseys. I gota get one and can't wait to see the vintage and old time jerseys!