Solar Bears' Gillies Signs PTO With AHL's Crunch

Photo Courtesy of the Orlando Solar Bears

The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, announced Saturday the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL) have signed goaltender Jon Gillies to a professional tryout contract (PTO).

Additionally, Ryan Fanti has been recalled by the Crunch, also announced Saturday.

Gillies, 30, has appeared in two games this season for the Solar Bears, posting a 1-1-0 record, a 3.08 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound netminder has appeared in 35 NHL games with the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, and Columbus Blue Jackets. He also boasts a substantial resume in the AHL and ECHL, providing the Solar Bears with a proven and reliable presence between the pipes.

A native of Concord, New Hampshire, Gillies was originally selected by the Flames in the third round (75th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Before turning professional, he played three seasons at Providence College, where he helped lead the Friars to an NCAA National Championship in 2015 and earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player honors.

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