Bent returns to Solar Bears

Action photo of Kelly Bent of the Orlando Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, announced forward Kelly Bent has agreed to terms on a contract, re-signing for the 2024-25 season.

Bent, 29, returns for his second season in Orlando after leading the Solar Bears and recording a career-high in penalty minutes during the 2023-24 season with 174. He appeared in 62 games last season with Orlando and Wichita, posting seven points (6g-1a).

Bent has appeared in 137 ECHL games over four seasons with Kansas City, Allen, Wichita and Orlando, scoring 15 points (9g-6a) and recording 428 penalty minutes.

Prior to his professional career, the Halifax, Nova Scotia native played at Dalhousie University from 2016-20, scoring 26 points (10g-16a) in 116 games. Bent also played major junior hockey from 2012-2016 for Prince Edward Island, Gatineau, Saint John, and Halifax of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, scoring 36 points (13g-23a) and racking up 522 penalty minutes in 215 regular season games. During the 2015-16 season, Bent was the QMJHL’s most penalized player with 150 minutes in penalties.