The Orlando Solar Bears agreed to terms with forward Brennan Saulnier on a contract for the 2026-27 season. Saulnier brings experience from 164 American Hockey League games and 74 ECHL games over six seasons. The Orlando Solar Bears are an ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning.
Saulnier Brings AHL and ECHL Experience
Saulnier, 32, is from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He most recently played for the Hershey Bears of the AHL during the 2024-25 season, recording 10 points, including four goals and six assists, in 39 games. He also recorded 99 penalty minutes.
In 164 career AHL games with Hershey, Belleville and Lehigh Valley, Saulnier recorded 45 points, including 20 goals and 25 assists, and 401 penalty minutes. He has 57 points, including 28 goals and 29 assists, and 181 penalty minutes in 74 ECHL games with Trois-Rivieres, Reading, Rapid City and Atlanta. Saulnier is listed at 6 feet and 170 pounds.
University of Alabama-Huntsville Background
Before turning professional, Saulnier played 119 collegiate games over four years at University of Alabama-Huntsville. He finished his NCAA career with 351 penalty minutes, fifth most in program history when Division I and Division II totals are combined.
Saulnier’s sister, Jill, is a current player for the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. The family connection is part of the broader professional hockey background surrounding the transaction, while the agreement gives Brennan Saulnier a place on the Orlando Solar Bears’ 2026-27 roster picture.
Orlando Solar Bears 2026 Preseason Roster
Saulnier is listed among the forwards on the Orlando Solar Bears’ 2026 preseason roster. The forwards are Camaryn Baber, Tyler Bird, Andrew Bruder, Connor Eddy, Zach Faremouth, Hunter Hall, Brendan Harris, Massimo Lombardi, Aaron Luchuk, Keegan McMullen, John Parker-Jones, Brandon Saigeon, Brennan Saulnier, Landry Schmuck, Kobe Walker and Luciano Wilson.
Hunter Hall is designated as a PTO, and Landry Schmuck is designated as an ATO. Saulnier is listed as a forward without a designation on the preseason roster.
The defensemen are Jarod Crespo, Jack Dougherty, Tony Follmer, Dustin Geregach, Colton Kammerer, Kade Landry, Xavier Lapointe, Dilan Savenkov and Ethan Szmagaj. Dilan Savenkov is designated as a PTO.
The goaltenders are Ryan Bednard, Harrison Meneghin and Tyriq Outen. Tyriq Outen is designated as a PTO.
FSB Take
Saulnier gives the Orlando Solar Bears a forward with documented experience in both the AHL and ECHL. His most recent season included 10 points and 99 penalty minutes in 39 games with the Hershey Bears, while his ECHL career includes 57 points in 74 games.
The agreement also adds Saulnier to a preseason roster that includes designated PTO and ATO players. His place among the listed forwards is the immediate roster significance of the Orlando Solar Bears’ 2026-27 transaction.
Source: Original report