The Orlando Solar Bears continue to have a very busy month of September, as they have announced their seventh player signing of the month, with still a week left. The Solar Bears have signed Thomas Belgarde to a Standard Player Contract for the 2024-2025 ECHL season. Belgarde will be entering his second professional season and first in North America.
Last season, Belgarde played overseas in the France2 league with Tours, and while there, he played 26 games, grabbing 26 points (12G,14A). Before his time in France, the St-Georges-De-Beauce, Quebec native played four seasons with five teams in the QMJHL as he played his first three with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, joining the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the second half of his third season in the league and his fourth and final season he played with the Victoriaville Tigers.
During his time in the QMJHL, the 22-year-old played a total of 177 games, scoring 58 goals while adding 66 assists for 124 points, while having a +15 rating. During his time in France, Belgrade played in the French Cup, only playing two games and having an assist. His best season came in the 22-23 season, as he scored 25 goals and 22 assists for 47 points in 47 games that year with the Tigers. He also added eight points in 21 QMJHL playoff games.
With today’s signing, the Orlando Solar Bears roster now sits at 12 forwards, six defensemen, and one goalie so far. Here is the list: Forwards: Tyler Bird, Alex Frye, Brayden Low, Spencer Kersten, Tanner Schachle, Aaron Luchuk, Ryan Mahshie, Kohei Soto, Jesse Jacques, Jarrett Lee, Carson Focht, and now Thomas Belgrade. The blue line consists of Chandler Romeo, Robbie Stucker, Avery Winslow, Ben Carroll, Whyatt Wilson, and Jimmy Mazza. The only signing-in net for Orlando is Alexis Gravel.
