By Mike Bonts
JACKSONVILLE (SportsDay Media) – The Jacksonville Icemen, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and the AHL’s Iowa Wild announced today that the team has acquired forward Tanner Kelly from the Toledo Walleye.
This transaction completes the future considerations terms of a trade made on February 23 that sent forwards Christopher Brown and Garrett Van Wyhe to Toledo in exchange for defenseman Jed Pietila and forwards Colby Ambrosio, Will Hillman, Jacques Bouquot and now Tanner Kelly in a 5-for-2 trade.
Kelly, 24, joins the Icemen after a very successful rookie campaign last season, finishing sixth in the league in rookie scoring with a balanced 50 points (25g, 25a) in 66 games played with Toledo. The 5-10, 178-pound forward also scored three goals in eight postseason outings with the Walleye.
Prior to starting his professional career last season, Kelly played four collegiate seasons at Michigan State University (2021-2025). Kelly totaled 58 points (24g, 34a) for the Spartans and was a member of two conference championship teams. From 2019-2021, the San Diego, California resident recorded 63 points with 24 goals with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks
The Jacksonville Icemen open their 10th Anniversary Season on October 31st against the Atlanta Gladiators. Full and Partial Ticket plans are available by calling 904-602-7825, or by visiting www.jacksonvilleicemen.com.
Format, Announced for 2027 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic
The ECHL, in conjunction with the Idaho Steelheads, announced on Wednesday the format and jersey designs for the 2027 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic.
The event will feature an international flair as the United States-born ECHL All-Stars will take on Canadian-born ECHL All-Stars over a two-day format.
All-Star week begins on Tuesday, January 26 with the 2027 ECHL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, All-Star Fan Fest and the All-Star Skills Competition. The Skill Competition will be comprised of six events, including:
- Fastest Skater
- Hardest Shot
- Accuracy Challenge
- Stickhandling Relay
- Premier Passer
- Rapid Shootout
The 2027 ECHL All-Star Classic will take place on Wednesday, January 27, featuring a full 60-minute game. Ticket information and additional details will be announced at a later date.
NHL Lightning, Solar Bears Extend Affiliation Agreement
The Tampa Bay Lightning have extended its ECHL affiliation agreement with the Orlando Solar Bears, vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced today. The Solar Bears will continue to serve as the “AA” affiliate for the Lightning over the next two seasons.
“We’re incredibly grateful of our continued partnership with the Solar Bears,” said BriseBois. “Chris Heller, Matt MacDonald and the entire organization have created a first-class environment with a winning culture focused on player development, while also helping grow the game of hockey throughout the State of Florida. The Lightning look forward to the Solar Bears serving as our affiliate for another two seasons.”
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning,” Solar Bears president Chris Heller said. “Julien BriseBois and his staff have continued to be first-class partners through our first eight seasons working together. With the geographical proximity of our two teams, the impact of our relationship in our respective communities is immense and plays a key factor in the growth of the game at the grassroots level in Central Florida.”
Tampa Bay entered into its current affiliation with Orlando at the start of the 2018-19 season. Since that time, 46 players have appeared with both the Solar Bears and the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa Bay’s American Hockey League affiliate, and Orlando has posted a 271-234-51-9 (.525) record.
Prior to that the Lightning held ECHL affiliations with the Adirondack Thunder for the 2017-18 season, the Kalamazoo Wings for 2016-17, and the Florida Everblades from 2010-2013. The Lightning’s very first ECHL affiliate was the Louisville Icehawks during the Bolts’ inaugural season in 1992-93.
