Solar Bears bring back Jacques

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

Jacques, 26, returns to the Solar Bears after scoring 30 points (11g-19a) in 52 games with Orlando last season and adding five points (3g-2a) in 11 playoff games. The Hermantown, Minnesota native was acquired from the Iowa Heartlanders in a trade for defenseman Louka Henault on Dec.12, 2023.

In 81 ECHL games over two seasons, Jacques has 51 points (21g-30a) and 55 penalty minutes.

Prior to his professional career, he played his college hockey with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. In 157 NCAA games over five seasons, Jacques tallied 34 points (10g-24a) and was part of the National Championship team during the 2018-19 season. He helped the Bulldogs capture two National Collegiate Hockey Conference championships (2018-19, 2021-22).

Jacques played one season of junior hockey with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League, scoring 25 points (9g-16a) during the 2017-18 season.