After three seasons behind the bench, Matt Carkner has stepped down as Head Coach and General Manager of the Orlando Solar Bears to pursue a coaching opportunity in the AHL, the team announced Tuesday.
Carkner, 44, was hired ahead of the 2022–23 season and quickly became a cornerstone of consistency and grit. Under his leadership, Orlando earned two playoff berths in three seasons—including a memorable 2025 postseason upset of the Brabham Cup-winning South Carolina Stingrays in a seven-game first-round battle. In each of those playoff runs, the Solar Bears eliminated the top-seeded team in the South Division, a testament to Carkner’s preparation and team-first mentality.
Over the course of his tenure, Carkner compiled 105 regular-season wins in 216 games—posting an overall record of 105-82-29, the second-most wins in franchise history behind only Drake Berehowsky. Under his leadership, the Solar Bears developed a reputation as a gritty playoff underdog—consistently outworking higher-seeded opponents and embracing a tenacious, team-first identity that made each postseason run a reflection of the culture Carkner built.
AHL Connections Raise Questions About What’s Next
Carkner’s next destination has not been officially announced, but his departure has fueled speculation of a return to the AHL—most notably to the Bridgeport Islanders. Carkner previously served as an assistant coach in Bridgeport from 2016 to 2021 and also played for the organization during his AHL career. The familiarity, along with recent rumblings of changes in Bridgeport, has led many to view him as a likely fit. However, no confirmation has been made at this time, and Carkner’s future role remains unannounced.
A Career Built on Leadership
Before moving behind the bench, Carkner built a rugged 15-year professional playing career defined by leadership and tenacity. He appeared in 237 NHL games with the San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators, and New York Islanders, amassing 27 points and 556 penalty minutes as a hard-nosed blueliner.
His AHL resume was even more extensive—587 games played, 152 points registered, and over 1,700 penalty minutes accrued across stints with Cleveland, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Binghamton, and Bridgeport. He was a respected presence in every locker room he entered, often wearing a letter and serving as a stabilizing force. His dedication to the community was equally impactful; while with the Binghamton Senators, he earned the AHL’s Yanick Dupré Memorial Award in 2006–07 for his work mentoring youth hockey players and leading local charitable efforts.
A second-round draft pick of the Montréal Canadiens in 1999, Carkner also captained the OHL’s Peterborough Petes during his junior days—foreshadowing the leadership qualities that would later define his career.
What’s Next for Orlando?
As the Solar Bears turn the page, the organization now begins the search for a new bench boss to guide them into the 2025–26 season. With a solid affiliate relationship with the Tampa Bay Lightning and a playoff-caliber core, the opening is likely to attract attention from rising coaching talent across the league.
Matt Carkner leaves behind more than a win column—he departs having built a culture of toughness, accountability, and postseason punch. Wherever his coaching path leads next, his time in Orlando will be remembered as a pivotal chapter in the franchise’s growth.
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