Orlando Solar Bears Goaltender Recalled To AHL

The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Tampa Bay Lightning, announced Friday the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL) have recalled goaltender Michael Simpson from loan to the Orlando Solar Bears.

The 21-year-old netminder has played well with the Solar Bears this season. He has appeared in five games, posting a 3-1-0 record with one shutout, a 2.06 goals against average and a .929 save percentage.

Simpson was called up briefly by Belleville earlier this season. In one appearance with the Senators, he was not the goaltender of record and gave up one goal in 10 minutes played.

Prior to his professional career, the London, Ontario native played the 2023-24 season with the Ontario Hockey League Champion London Knights, his hometown team. Simpson is a two-time OHL champion, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup with the Peterborough Petes during the 2022-23 season, while earning the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as Playoff Most Valuable Player.

Simpson recorded his first professional shutout with a 25-save victory on Nov. 8 in a 2-0 victory against Florida. Darik Angeli and Anthony Bardaro provided the offense for the Solar Bears in the win.

Orlando is coming off the holiday break and will resume action Friday against the Everblades in Estero. Puck drop is set for 7:30 Pm ET.