Szmagaj returns to Solar Bears

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, announced the club has re-signed defenseman Ethan Szmagaj to a contract for the 2026-27 season.

Szmagaj, 24, rejoins the Solar Bears after he was acquired in a trade with the Reading Royals in November of 2025. In 62 games with the Solar Bears and Royals, the Canton, Michigan native scored 14 points (3g-11a) and recorded 30 penalty minutes. In total, Szmagaj has appeared in 66 ECHL games with Savannah, Reading and Orlando, tallying 15 points (3g-12a).

Prior to his professional career, Szmagaj played four seasons of college hockey at Arizona State University, where he was the captain of the 2024-25 squad. In 130 games, Szmagaj scored 28 points (6g-22a) and had 101 penalty minutes.