ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears announced on Thursday, July 23rd, 2026, the re-signing of defenseman Tony Follmer for the upcoming 2026-27 ECHL season. Follmer, 25, will return for his second full professional season with the Solar Bears.
The 6-foot-2, 198-pound defenseman from O’Fallon, Missouri, has competed in 62 ECHL games across two seasons, recording 11 points, including one goal and 10 assists, with 25 penalty minutes and a minus-3 rating. Prior to turning professional, Follmer played four seasons at Bemidji State University, appearing in 127 games and tallying 12 points with 56 penalty minutes. He was an integral member of the Bemidji State Beavers’ 2023-24 Central Collegiate Hockey Association Championship team.
Before his collegiate career, Follmer played three seasons in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with Sioux Falls and Lincoln, totaling 125 games. He served as captain of the Lincoln Stars during the 2020-21 season.
Follmer’s presence on the blue line is expected to contribute to the Solar Bears’ defensive core as the team prepares for the 2026-27 campaign at the Kia Center in Orlando. The Solar Bears open their home schedule with a game against the Florida Everblades on Sunday, October 18th, followed by matchups against South Carolina Stingrays and another meeting with the Everblades a week later.
Source: Original report