Block returns to Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears have agreed to terms with fan-favorite forward Austin Block for the 2017-18 season.

The Solar Bears are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Toronto Maple Leafs and the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies.

Block scored a career-high 35 points (12g-23a) and added 34 penalty minutes in 51 regular-season games in his first full season with Orlando. Block was also the recipient of the team’s Dan Snyder Memorial Award for his hard work and perseverance throughout the season.

In 74 career games with the Solar Bears, Block has posted totals of 42 points (14g-28a) and 44 penalty minutes since being acquired in a trade with the Manchester Monarchs on Feb 12, 2016.

The 27-year-old has skated in 181 career pro games, and has accumulated 87 points (28g-59a) and 75 penalty minutes. He has played in the ECHL with Orlando, Manchester and Bakersfield, and has also spent time overseas playing for teams in Finland, Slovakia and Sweden.

Prior to turning pro, the native of Denver, Colo. played collegiate hockey at the University of New Hampshire, where he posted 50 points (25g-25a) and 94 penalty minutes in 136 games for the Wildcats. Block also played two seasons of junior hockey with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey League, where he racked up 100 points (42g-58a) and 134 penalty minutes in 110 games and led the league in points with 76 in the 2008-09 campaign while being named the league’s top forward.