The Orlando Solar Bears completed the acquisition of Matt Stief’s playing rights from the Adirondack Thunder as part of the agreement involving defenseman Kurt Gosselin, which was formally disclosed last week.
Stief, a native of Boca Raton, Florida previously suited up for both Idaho and Adirondack. The defenseman made significant contributions to the Thunder’s roster after tallying 35 points (4 goals, 31 assists) in 70 games during the 2023-24 season. Over the course of his ECHL career that spans 190 games across three seasons, Stief has accumulated a total of 79 points with eight goals and 71 assists.
Before turning professional, Stief attended Canisius College and served as alternate captain his senior year, and was selected for the All-Atlantic Hockey Third Team. He was one of the few skaters to play in all 36 games his senior year and ranked third in scoring on the team. Stief achieved career highs in goals, assists, and points, and finished the season nationally ranked in power-play assists and points. At that time he held the second-most assists by a defenseman in the program’s Division I era.
Throughout his time with Cansius, Stief displayed consistency by contributing multiple points in various games. Notable performances include scoring the game-winning goal against Union, dishing out assists against rivals like Niagara and Army, and maintaining a seven-game point-scoring streak. Stief also excelled academically, earning recognition as an AHCA Krampade All-American Scholar and making the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team.
The Solar Bears will kick off their season on the road against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Friday, October 18th.
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