Ryan Cruthers Named Solar Bears Captain

[chilly666]

Orlando, FL - The Orlando Solar Bears named C Ryan Cruthers the first captain in the ECHL history of the Orlando Solar Bears. RW Kevin Baker and D Derick Martin will serve as alternate captains.

Cruthers, a veteran of over 250 professional games, was the first player signed by the Orlando Solar Bears this summer. He is currently second on the Solar Bears in points, having scored two goals and one assist in the first two Solar Bears games. The Farmingdale, NY, native was the captain of the ECHL's Reading Royals for the last two seasons, and has 241 points (88 goals, 153 assists) in 241 ECHL games.

Baker and Martin each bring a wealth of experience to the Orlando lineup. Baker is a former MVP of the ECHL, winning the honor in 2008-09 while scoring 57 goals and 45 assists for 102 points in 70 games - all with the Florida Everblades. He has played over 400 games in his professional career, and in 317 ECHL games he has collected 353 points.

Martin has logged the most ECHL games out the group, appearing in 425 league contests. A strong stay-at-home defenseman, Martin has tallied 98 points in the ECHL, including 11 goals and 87 assists. He was an alternate captain for the Victoria Salmon Kings (ECHL) in 2010-11.

"We have a very experienced veteran leadership group," said Head Coach Drake Berehowsky. "Their character and desire to compete is second to none."