On Wednesday, October 21st, the Orlando Solar Bears announced the signing of Canadian forward Stephen Johnson. The two sides agreed to terms on a standard player contract for the upcoming season.
Johnson will make his pro debut after spending four seasons playing university hockey. He did so with the St. Mary’s Huskies. During his collegiate hockey career, Johnson recorded 31 goals along with 45 assists in 119 games. That made for 76 points while he also added on 104 penalty minutes.
During his senior season, Johnson, 25-years-old, led the team in goals, having netted 19. As well, he added 18 assists, amassing 37 points along with 34 penalty minutes. He achieved this in 30 games played. The forward was earned his way to the Second All-Star Team in the AUS.
Continuing a notable trend with Orlando this offseason, Johnson was a teammate of Jake Coughler, current Solar Bears forward, during his sophomore and junior seasons with the Huskies. It seems that the Solar Bears are banking on using some pre-existing chemistry with several new signees to accommodate for the unique offseason that the pandemic has handed to the league this year.
Johnson, from Moncton, New Brunswick, played his junior hockey in the QMJHL. Doing so his hometown Wildcats, the righty recorded 49 goals along with 70 assists in 226 games. He also compiled 142 penalty minutes.
Another constant in the additions Orlando has made this offseason, Johnson brings in some leadership both on and off the ice. He served as captain of the Wildcats hockey club during his final two seasons of junior.
The Solar Bears continue to tweak their roster with some role players that can add the scoring touch that the Solar Bears lacked in 2019-20. Orlando begins their 2020-21 campaign on Saturday, December 12th against the Florida Everblades. They do so before welcoming fans back to Amway Center on December 29th as they host the Jacksonville Icemen.