The Orlando Solar Bears agreed to terms with veteran defenseman Jack Dougherty on a contract for the 2026-27 season, bringing him back to the ECHL club after three seasons in Europe.
Dougherty previously appeared in 19 games for the Orlando Solar Bears during the 2022-23 season. He recorded seven points, including one goal and six assists, along with 16 penalty minutes. His performance earned him a contract with the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League.
Dougherty most recently played for the Sheffield Steelers of the EIHL. He recorded 15 points, including two goals and 13 assists, 18 penalty minutes and a plus-24 rating during the 2025-26 season.
Jack Dougherty brings 11 seasons of professional experience
The 30-year-old defenseman is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 198 pounds. He has played in the American Hockey League, ECHL, DEL, ICEHL and EIHL during 11 seasons as a professional. Dougherty has appeared in 364 professional games since turning pro in 2016.
The Nashville Predators selected Dougherty in the second round, 51st overall, of the 2014 NHL Draft out of the United States National Team Development Program. He was also a gold medalist at the 2014 Under-18 World Junior Championship.
Dougherty committed to the University of Wisconsin and played 33 games for the Badgers during the 2014-15 season. He recorded nine points, including two goals and seven assists, before spending the 2015-16 season with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. He turned professional after the junior hockey season.
Orlando Solar Bears 2026 preseason roster
The Orlando Solar Bears are an ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning. The 2026 preseason roster lists Camaryn Baber, Tyler Bird, Connor Eddy, Brendan Harris, Massimo Lombardi, Aaron Luchuk, Keegan McMullen, John Parker-Jones, Kobe Walker and Luciano Wilson as forwards.
The defensemen are Jarod Crespo, Jack Dougherty, Tony Follmer, Dustin Geregach, Colton Kammerer, Kade Landry, Xavier Lapointe and Ethan Szmagaj. Ryan Bednard is listed as the goaltender.
Source: Original report