Solar Bears Celebrate End of “Hibernation” with New Patch

The Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL (which is like Double-A baseball to the non hockey fans out there) are returning to Central Florida for the 2012-13 season and they’re celebrating their comeback with a patch.

Established in the International Hockey League beginning with the 1995/96 season, the Orlando Solar Bears folded along with the league itself following the 2000/01 season. A season in which they won the IHL’s Turner Cup Championship.

The evolution of the Solar Bears logo from the IHL to their re-birth 12 years later in the ECHL

Well now, after 12 years they’re back to defend their crown… only this time it’s in a new league, with the same name and colour scheme as before.  The logo’s a little different, but the core of the branding is still in tact.

The special Opening Night patch, worn only for the first game on October 20th

Playing off the fun of their name and their temporary hiatus, the club will be sporting a patch on their jerseys claiming the 2012-2013 season they will be “Out of Hibernation”.

Opening night will feature a similar patch but placing emphasis on the fact that it is the opening game of their first season.

The logos were designed by the Joe Bosack Graphic Design Company, who were also responsible for the Solar Bears primary logo and several other team logos in the past such as the Colorado Avalanche, UNLV, and Boise State.

The Solar Bears kick off their return from hibernation on October 12th with the first of three straight road games in Estero, Florida (close to Fort Meyers) against the Florida Everblades (love that name!).  The Bears then return home to Orlando for their home opener on the 20th against (you guessed it) the Florida Everblades.