Have you heard the word? The Orlando Solar Bears have re-signed forward Tyler Bird for the upcoming season. Bird returns to the Solar Bears after splitting the season between Orlando and their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.
Bird, 24-years-old, played in 34 games last season with the Solar Bears. In doing so, he recorded five goals along with six assists which made for 11 points. He also picked up 18 penalty minutes. With Syracuse, Bird totalled two points, both done on assists, while also adding two penalty minutes. He did so in five games played before the season was cancelled during his AHL debut.
Bird, from Boston, MA, has bounced around the ECHL a bit. Aside from the Orlando Solar Bears, the right-winger has seen time with Swamp Rabbits, Reading Royals and Wheeling Nailers. In his 79 career games, Bird has recorded eight goals along with 15 assists for 23 points. He’s also amassed 37 penalty minutes.
Bird played collegiate hockey in the NCAA with Brown University. There, he would span four seasons before eventually being appointed as alternate captain. That would be his senior season. In 120 games with the Brown Bears, Bird recorded 22 goals along with 13 assists for 35 points. He also racked up 40 penalty minutes.
The six-foot-two, 205 pound forward was a fifth-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Bird heard his name selected at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Speaking with Jesse Liebman, voice of the Solar Bears, on Friday via Zoom, Bird said that he has used the extra rest this offseason while also getting some skates in with Rich Boyd.
Bird also said his focus this offseason is on upping his game offensively. Bird set a career high with five goals last season, but he hopes to add much more in 2020-21.