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56-628: Orlando Pro Hockey Operations, L.P. and primary owners Joe Haleski, Bob Ohrablo, and Jason Siegel, obtained an expansion franchise in the ECHL in November 2011. The team revived the name of the original Orlando Solar Bears , who played in the International Hockey League from 1995 to 2001. The franchise also retained the original colors of their IHL predecessor, while adding the color Sunrise Gold. They are Orlando's third professional hockey team, after

112-467: A best-of-seven format. The alignment changed back to four divisions for the 2016–17 season , but the playoffs kept the divisional format. The top four teams in each division qualify for the playoffs and play in the division for the first two rounds. After the division finals, the winners then play the conference finals and followed by the Kelly Cup finals. In celebration of the league's 20th year of play,

168-490: A time by Jerry Greene formerly of the Orlando Sentinel . It marked Greene's return to AM 740, after co-hosting Keep 'N' Score several years earlier. Greene died in 2016. On October 1, 2015, WYGM began simulcasting on FM translator W246BO (moved from 97.1), transmitting from Deltona . The stations were rebranded as "96.9 The Game". The translator call sign later changed to W245CL. In 2010, WYGM began simulcasting on

224-767: A time, the show was simulcast on WFXJ in Jacksonville . The simulcast ended in January 2021. A late morning show titled The Beat of Sports is hosted by Marc Daniels, the radio voice of the UCF Knights . Bianchi and Daniels join for an hour long crossover show from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. called The Bridge . Then Daniels takes over until noon. Scott Harris is the producer for The Beat of Sports . Weekday afternoons feature The Herd with Colin Cowherd , followed by In The Zone with Brandon Kravitz. The Shot Doctor (Mike Josephs )

280-728: Is also heard on the HD2 channel of co-owned WJRR 101.1. WYGM has studios and offices in iHeart's Orlando facility in Maitland . It operates at the maximum AM power permitted by the Federal Communications Commission , 50,000 watts at all times, but because AM 740 is a clear-channel Canadian frequency, reserved for Class A CFZM in Toronto , WYGM must use a directional antenna at night (to protect CFZM). By contrast, WYGM's translator operates at only 250 watts. WYGM's transmitter

336-455: Is off Tower Pine Drive in Winter Garden . WYGM is an affiliate of Fox Sports Radio , which is syndicated by Premiere Networks , a subsidiary of WYGM's parent company, iHeartMedia . On weekdays, the station features several local shows, beginning with the morning drive time program Open Mike hosted by Mike "The Bulldog" Bianchi , a sports columnist for the Orlando Sentinel . For

392-425: The 2015–16 season , the playoffs changed once again to a six-division format. At the end of the regular season, the top team in each division qualified for the playoffs and be seeded either 1, 2, or 3 based on the highest point total earned in the season. Then the five non-division winning teams with the highest point totals in each conference qualified for the playoffs and be seeded 4 through 8. All four rounds will be

448-463: The 2025–26 ECHL season . Alignment, affiliations, and locations for the 2024–25 season . Representatives from all potential expansion franchises, markets that have been granted expansion franchises and franchises that have suspended operations must attend the league's annual Board of Governors Meeting between seasons and provide progress reports on their situations in order to keep their ECHL franchise rights. For dormant and existing franchises,

504-602: The Albany River Rats history following the club's move to Charlotte following the 2009–10 season and assumed the Checkers identity . In each of these cases, the ECHL franchise was relinquished to the league by its respective ownership group. In 2015, the three California franchises ( Bakersfield Condors , Ontario Reign , and Stockton Thunder ) were displaced by the formation of an AHL Pacific Division. Each ECHL franchise involved in

560-877: The Anchorage/Alaska Aces , the Bakersfield Condors , the Fresno Falcons , the Idaho Steelheads , the Las Vegas Wranglers , the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the San Diego Gulls as well as from potential teams in Ontario, California , and Reno, Nevada . Alaska, Bakersfield, Fresno, Idaho, Las Vegas, Long Beach and San Diego began play in the 2003–04 season as expansion teams. In a change reflective of

616-732: The Bloomington Bison in Bloomington, IL. The Knight Monsters are planned to play in the Mountain division, with the Bison planned to compete in the Central division. These additions were intended to bring the ECHL to 30 teams before the Newfoundland Growlers folded late in the 2023–24 ECHL season , but plans are still there to expand the league to 32 in the future to match the number of teams in

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672-631: The Carolina Monarchs in 1995 . The Hampton Roads Admirals were the second, giving way to the Norfolk Admirals in 2000 . The Peoria Rivermen were the third. In their case, the replacement franchise retained the Worcester IceCats history but assumed the Rivermen identity for their first AHL season of 2005–06 . The Charlotte Checkers were the fourth, yielding to a franchise that retained

728-808: The Central Hockey League ) the league played the 2012–13 season with 23 teams. That number dropped to 22 for the 2013–14 season with the folding of the Trenton Titans and subsequently fell to 21 with the mid-season folding of the San Francisco Bulls on January 27, 2014. On October 7, 2014, the ECHL announced that the seven remaining active members of the Central Hockey League (the Allen Americans , Brampton Beast , Quad City Mallards , Missouri Mavericks , Rapid City Rush , Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder ) would be admitted as new members for

784-842: The Iowa Heartlanders and the Trois-Rivières Lions , with Iowa going into the Central Division and Trois-Rivières going into the North. This brought the league up to 27 teams. The league added the Savannah Ghost Pirates , bringing the league to 28 teams, and balancing the divisions for the 2022–23 season . There are two expansion teams to be added for the 2024–25 season ; the Tahoe Knight Monsters in Stateline, NV, and

840-713: The Kelly Cup playoffs. The most recent playoff champions are the Florida Everblades in 2024 . The league, which combined teams from the defunct Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL) and All-American Hockey League (AAHL), began to play as the East Coast Hockey League in 1988 with five teams – the (Winston-Salem, North) Carolina Thunderbirds (now the Wheeling Nailers ); the Erie Panthers (folded in 2011 as

896-601: The NHL and the AHL per ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin. On April 2, 2024, the league announced that the Newfoundland Growlers ' membership had been terminated due to failure to fulfill its obligations under league bylaws, bringing the league down to 29 teams and forcing the Wheeling Nailers to move to the North Division. On October 18, 2024, the league announced a new expansion team for Greensboro, North Carolina set to begin play for

952-633: The Norfolk Admirals , Manchester Monarchs , and Adirondack Thunder , respectively. By the 2018–19 season , the ECHL lost both the Quad City Mallards and Manchester Monarchs by folding, and the ECHL kept the Quad City Mallards name as a trademark. But the East Coast Hockey League expanded into other markets recently vacated by the AHL in the Maine Mariners , Newfoundland Growlers , and Worcester Railers . There were two expansion teams added in 2021–22 ,

1008-650: The Peoria Rivermen ). The Solar Bears utilize RDV Sportsplex Ice Den as their training facility and offices. For their first season in 2012–13, the team became affiliated with the Minnesota Wild of the NHL and the Houston Aeros of the AHL . They hired former NHL player Drake Berehowsky as the team's first head coach. During their inaugural season, the Solar Bears posted a 20–11–1–4 record on home ice; however,

1064-625: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The station also airs Orlando Solar Bears games exclusively online via the iHeartRadio feed. WYGM is also the home of Orlando City soccer, however, many games air on sister station WTKS-FM . On February 8, 1947, the station signed on as WORZ. It originally broadcast with 1,000 watts and was an network affiliate of the NBC Red Network . It carried NBC's schedule of dramas, comedies, news, sports, soap operas , game shows , and big-band broadcasts during

1120-889: The Victoria Salmon Kings ); the Johnstown Chiefs (now the Greenville Swamp Rabbits ); the Knoxville Cherokees (ceased operations as the Pee Dee Pride in 2005; folded in 2009 following failed relocation efforts); and the Virginia Lancers (now the Utah Grizzlies ). In 2003, the West Coast Hockey League ceased operations, and the ECHL board of governors approved membership applications from

1176-507: The " Golden Age of Radio ". In the 1960s as WKIS, the station was a full service middle of the road music station. In 1979, WKIS changed to a news/talk format. In March 1988, the station was bought by Guy Gannett Communications , becoming an affiliate of the ABC Talk Radio Network and airing CBS Radio News , plus local news with an eleven person staff. The call sign changed to WWNZ ("Wins") on May 12, 1988. Gannett raised

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1232-467: The 2014–15 season. The addition of the former CHL teams plus the expansion Indy Fuel raised the number of teams to 28 and placed a team in Canada for the first time since 2011. Before the 2015–16 season , the AHL's creation of a Pacific Division led the three California ECHL teams to relocate to former AHL cities with the Bakersfield Condors , Ontario Reign , and Stockton Thunder relocating to become

1288-424: The 6-9 a.m. morning drive program. The Finish Line , however, did not return. Initially, The Shot Doctor was fired by Clear Channel and Mike Tuck moved to WHOO to reunite with Jerry O'Neill ( Tuck and O'Neill ). Later in the year, however, The Shot Doctor returned to WYGM to host a new show, titled The Sports Rx , from 3-6 p.m. with Brandon Kravitz. In October 2010, Dan Sileo was dropped from WYGM to focus on

1344-565: The 6-9 p.m. timeslot). The Shot Doctor now hosted with Mike Tuck, while O'Neill left to join rival WHOO. The Jim Rome Show was picked up by WHOO, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers affiliation switched to RealRadio 104.1 . After only one year as a Spanish-language format, Clear Channel announced on January 23, 2009, that AM 740 would return to the sports talk format. WQTM received new call letters WYGM, and began broadcasting on February 15, 2009. The station re-branded itself as "740 The Game" (the previous moniker "The Team" had been snagged during

1400-622: The AHL are the only minor leagues recognized by the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), meaning any player signed to an entry-level NHL contract and designated for assignment must report to a club in either the ECHL or the AHL. Additionally, the league's players are represented by the Professional Hockey Players' Association (PHPA) in negotiations with

1456-638: The Board of Governors changed the Western Conference seeding such that eight teams qualify: two division winners and the next six teams in the conference. This eliminated the Western Conference first-round bye. Similar to the National Hockey League (NHL) at the time, the division winners were seeded as the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference and the top two seeds in the Western Conference;

1512-414: The Board of Governors votes whether or not to extend a franchise's league license until the next Board of Governors Meeting. At the 2012 Board of Governors meeting, the Board elected to limit the league to 26 teams, with an emphasis on adding teams to the Western Conference. However, it was decided at the 2015 Board of Governors meeting that the cap should be expanded to 30 teams, hoping to eventually match

1568-680: The ECHL Board of Governors created the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2008, to recognize the achievements of players, coaches, and personnel who dedicated their careers to the league. WYGM WYGM (740 AM ) is a commercial radio station in Orlando, Florida , United States . It is owned by iHeartMedia and airs a sports radio format . Programming is simulcast on FM translator station W245CL at 96.9 MHz in nearby Deltona, Florida , and uses its FM dial position in its moniker, "96.9 The Game." It

1624-717: The ECHL itself. At least 739 players have played at least one game in the NHL after appearing in the ECHL. As of the 2024–25 season , 29 of the 32 NHL teams held affiliations with an ECHL team with only the Carolina Hurricanes , Columbus Blue Jackets , and Ottawa Senators having no such franchise affiliations. NHL teams sometimes lend contracted players to ECHL teams with whom they have no affiliation agreements for development and increased playing time. The league's regular season typically begins in October and ends in April, followed by

1680-531: The HD3 subchannel of sister station WTKS-FM . On May 6, 2012, WYGM switched its HD Radio simulcast from WTKS-FM-HD3 to WJRR-HD2 with the demise of "Channel X". In August 2017, Jerry O'Neill left WHOO and rejoined 740 The Game, reuniting with The Shot Doctor and they resumed their afternoon show The Finish Line . Brandon Kravitz moved to the morning show with Mike Bianchi. In 2019, longtime host Jerry O'Neill retired from his program ( The Finish Line ), and also retired as

1736-409: The NHL and AHL's (then) 30-team totals. In 2023, ECHL commissioner Ryan Crelin commented that the eventual goal was to match the AHL and NHL expansion to 32 teams. Since starting with five franchises in its inaugural season, the ECHL has had dozens of franchises join and leave the league. Typically, these teams fold or relocate due to operation issues or financial losses. The Johnstown Chiefs became

Orlando Solar Bears - Misplaced Pages Continue

1792-616: The Orlando Pro Hockey Operations, L.P. ownership group informed them that they could no longer sustain the team. The DeVos family were the owners of the IHL Solar Bears from 1995 through 2001. In the 2018 Kelly Cup playoffs , the Solar Bears swept the South Carolina Stingrays to win their first playoff series, before losing to the regular season champions, the Florida Everblades , in the division finals. After

1848-533: The Solar Bears for an additional two years in 2014 and the Leafs became the Solar Bears' sole NHL affiliate. The Solar Bears hosted the 2015 ECHL All-Star Game at Amway Center on January 21, 2015. For the 2015–16 season, Anthony Noreen became the head coach of the Solar Bears after guiding the United States Hockey League 's Youngstown Phantoms to the league championship and being named USHL Coach of

1904-531: The Storm in order to demolish their present arena and construct a new one in downtown Toledo. The Mississippi Sea Wolves resumed play for the 2007–08 season, while the Toledo Walleye resumed play in their new arena for the 2009–10 season. Seven former ECHL franchises have been directly replaced in their respective markets by American Hockey League franchises. The Greensboro Monarchs were the first, being replaced by

1960-458: The Tampa Bay market. He was soon replaced by Mike Bianchi in the 6-9 a.m. morning slot, in an effort to establish a more Orlando-centric morning show. Bianchi's show debuted, initially with co-host Brian Fritz, on November 15, 2010. By 2012, original anchor Marc Daniels (who had spent time at WHOO ), returned to AM 740, and started a new late morning program, The Beat of Sports , co-hosted for

2016-614: The Year. The Solar Bears also renewed their affiliation with the Maple Leafs and Marlies. The Solar Bears missed the 2016 playoffs and then started the 2016–17 season with a 5-5-1-0 record. On November 14, 2016, head coach Anthony Noreen was replaced by former Solar Bears' head coach Drake Berehowsky . In May 2017, the DeVos family , owners of the Orlando Magic , agreed to purchase the Solar Bears when

2072-402: The conference winner faced the eighth seed, second faces seventh, third faces sixth and fourth faces fifth in the conference quarterfinal round. The winner of the 1st/8th series played the winner of the 4th/5th series while the 2nd/7th winner played against the 3rd/6th winner in the conference semifinal series. The Board of Governors also elected to change the playoff format such that all rounds of

2128-662: The folding of the Victoria Salmon Kings subsequent to the 2010–11 season , but increased to 20 teams for the 2011–12 season with the addition of the expansion franchise Chicago Express and the Colorado Eagles who previously played in the Central Hockey League . With the folding of the Chicago Express at the conclusion of the 2011–12 season and the announcement of expansion franchises in Orlando , San Francisco , Evansville , and Fort Wayne (both in Indiana and both from

2184-502: The last remaining founding franchise of the East Coast Hockey League to remain in its original city until it relocated to Greenville, South Carolina, following the completion of the 2009–10 season . While the ECHL has stated in recent years they would not grant voluntary suspensions of franchises for more than one year, both the Toledo Storm (now the Toledo Walleye ) and Mississippi Sea Wolves (now defunct) were granted two-year suspensions—the Sea Wolves because of Hurricane Katrina and

2240-409: The league introduced the ECHL toolbar for internet browsers which gave users short cut access to statistics, scores, transactions, and news updates. At the annual ECHL Board of Governors meeting on June 15, 2010, in Henderson, Nevada, the Board of Governors approved changes to the names of the conferences and divisions. The former American Conference (comprising eleven East Coast and Midwest teams)

2296-632: The league's now-nationwide presence, the East Coast Hockey League shortened its name to the orphan initialism ECHL on May 19, 2003. The ECHL reached its largest size to date (31 teams) that season before being reduced to 28 teams for the 2004–05 season . The ECHL has attempted to be more tech-friendly to its fans. Some improvements on the league's website have included a new schedule and statistics engine powered by League Stat, Inc. (introduced in 2006 ), internet radio coverage for most teams, and pay-per view broadcasting of ECHL games through B2 Networks (a subsidiary of America One Broadcasting ). In 2008,

Orlando Solar Bears - Misplaced Pages Continue

2352-496: The newly re-launched The Dan Patrick Show from 9 a.m. to noon. In January 2008, further changes were made at 740 AM, and other Clear Channel-owned stations in the market. The frequency transitioned to a Spanish-language format, branded as La Preciosa 740. Pat Campbell was released from 540 WFLA 's morning show. Dan Sileo 's morning show was put in its place at 540, and it was simulcast on WDAE in Tampa as well. The Finish Line , sans Jerry O'Neill, also moved to 540 (taking

2408-422: The online channel for WYGM "740 the Game" and on Mixlr. News6 WKMG broadcasts select games throughout the season. Joey Battaino, formerly of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, is the play-by-play announcer for the Solar Bears. As with all ECHL teams, video of Orlando Solar Bears games are available on FloSports and ECHL.TV, usually with a choice between home or away radio feeds for audio. The 2022-2023 season home opener

2464-469: The original Solar Bears and Orlando Seals (2002–2004). Together with the Florida Everblades of Estero and the Jacksonville Icemen , they are one of three ECHL franchises in Florida. They are the eighth ECHL franchise to have the name of a previous IHL franchise, joining four current teams ( Cincinnati Cyclones , Fort Wayne Komets , Utah Grizzlies and Kalamazoo Wings ) and three former teams (the defunct Phoenix Roadrunners and Long Beach Ice Dogs ; and

2520-407: The playoffs are now best of seven series. For 2012–13, the Conference Finals and Kelly Cup Finals will use a two-referee system. Because of the late addition of the CHL teams for the 2014–15 season and its subsequent conference alignment, the top four teams in each division qualified for the playoffs and the first two playoff rounds were played within the divisions. For the realignment prior to

2576-416: The power from 5KW non-directional day and 1KW 3 tower directional nights, to 50,000 watts both day and night from the new site in Lake County just outside Orange County. The new the site used 6 towers with one specially configured wagon wheel top array to better control the nighttime skywave. Paxson Communications acquired the station in February 1992. Clive Thomas was the midday host, while Jim Philips

2632-466: The sabbatical by WHOO), and resumed its affiliation with Fox Sports Radio . It also continued as the flagship for UCF , an affiliation that had been continuous throughout the Spanish-language format. During its first several months back as a sports talk format, WYGM aired programs such as The Dan Patrick Show , The Jim Rome Show , and Orlando Predators arena football . In May 2009, The Dan Sileo Show transitioned back from 540 WFLA and became

2688-519: The season, the Solar Bears and the Toronto Maple Leafs ended their five-season affiliation when Toronto affiliated with the expansion Newfoundland Growlers team. The Solar Bears then affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning on a three-year agreement, which was then extended through at least the 2022–23 season. On April 25, 2022, the team announced that they and Drake Berehowsky had mutually agreed to part ways. The radio broadcasts for Orlando Solar Bears games are streamed online through iHeart Radio on

2744-437: The station would possibly undergo a format change. On November 10, 2006, it was announced that WQTM's summer 2006 ratings fell to an average of 0.6 (84,000 listeners), falling behind competitor 1080 WHOO . On October 1, 2007, WQTM changed its morning lineup. It dropped Keep 'N Score , a one-hour show hosted by Orlando Sentinel columnists which had run since April 2003, and Fox Sports Radio 's Out of Bounds , in favor of

2800-404: The team struggled on the road and missed the playoffs with a 28–27–7 overall record. The Solar Bears then named Vince Williams , a former Solar Bears defenseman, as head coach for the 2013–14 season. They also added an affiliation with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL and the Toronto Marlies of the AHL while also keeping the Wild as an affiliate. The Leafs extended their affiliation with

2856-428: The territorial shift was either owned or purchased by their NHL affiliate prior to being relocated. Current member Former member Future member Opted out of season due to COVID-19 pandemic For the 2012–13 season , eight teams still qualify in the Eastern Conference: the three division winners plus the next five teams in the conference. With the addition of the expansion franchise in San Francisco ,

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2912-437: The transition over to AM 740 was complete, and AM 540 became WFLF (NewsRadio 540 WFLA). During its original run as a sport talk station, 740 The Team carried several local shows: On October 12, 2006, Clear Channel announced the dismissal of twelve-year program director, and show host Marc Daniels. The move was made as part of budget cuts. Steve Egan was also dismissed. Speculation in an Orlando Sentinel article suggested

2968-446: Was on in the afternoons. WQTM debuted as a sports talk station, originally branded as "540 The Team", on January 2, 1995 on AM 540 in Orlando. The station officially changed its call letters to WQTM in the spring of 1996. In March 1998, Marc Daniels took over as program director , replacing Dick Sheetz. In January 2001, WQTM transitioned over to 740-AM by simulcasting on both frequencies for one month. Beginning in February 2001,

3024-430: Was part of the show until his retirement in 2020. Michael Tozzi currently serves as producer/co-host to 'In The Zone' The remainder of the nighttime and overnight hours, as well as the weekends, feature Fox Sports Radio syndicated programming and brokered programming as well as ESPN Radio . WYGM is the flagship station for Orlando Magic basketball and the UCF Knights . It is also the Orlando radio affiliate for

3080-412: Was renamed the Eastern Conference, while the National Conference (consisting of 8 West Coast teams, including the league's only Canadian team at the time) was re-designated the Western Conference. Within the Eastern Conference, the East Division was renamed the Atlantic Division, and the Western Conference's former West Division was dubbed the Mountain Division. The league lost its only Canadian team with

3136-442: Was simulcast on WKMG-TV (Orlando's CBS affiliate) and Cozi TV . ECHL The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League ) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey , with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The league serves as a farm system to the AHL and the National Hockey League (NHL). The ECHL and

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