The Orlando Solar Bears announced that veteran forward Aaron Luchuk will return for the 2025–26 ECHL season, bringing back one of the league’s most consistent point producers and a player with a decorated hockey résumé.
Offensive Consistency in Orlando
Luchuk, 28, continues to be a cornerstone of the Solar Bears’ attack. In 2024–25, he played 72 games and produced 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points. His offense carried into the postseason, where he added six goals and three assists in 12 games, helping Orlando push for a deeper playoff run.
The year before, he delivered 22 goals and 27 assists for 49 points in 61 games. Since joining the Solar Bears in 2020, Luchuk has surpassed 40 points in three different seasons, proving his value as one of the most reliable forwards in franchise history.
Career Achievements and Recognition
Few players in the ECHL match Luchuk’s résumé. In 2020–21, he won the league scoring title with 74 points (28g, 46a) in 72 games. That same season, he earned a spot on the ECHL First All-Star Team and received the Sportsmanship Award. He also collected multiple Player of the Week and Player of the Month honors.
Luchuk is also Orlando’s all-time leader in goals (93) and points (223) and is tied with Michael Brodzinski for the franchise record in assists (130). His 59-point campaign in 2024–25 earned him a spot on the 2025 Eastern Conference All-Star Team, further cementing his place among the league’s top forwards (Orlando Solar Bears, 2025).
Across his ECHL career, Luchuk has appeared in over 250 games and posted more than 260 points. His strongest stretches have come in Orlando, but he also made an impact with the Newfoundland Growlers, where he recorded 50 points in 45 games in 2019–20.
Early Career and NHL Connection
Before turning pro, Luchuk built his reputation in the OHL with Windsor and Barrie. He won the 2017 Memorial Cup with the Spitfires, scoring the game-winning goal in the championship. In 2017–18, he led the OHL in scoring with 115 points (50g, 65a) in 68 games, earning Second Team All-Star honors and the Leo Lalonde Trophy as the league’s top scoring player (Orlando Solar Bears, 2025).
He finished his junior career with 192 points (96g, 96a) in 239 games. On December 26, 2017, the Ottawa Senators signed Luchuk to an entry-level NHL contract, calling him a proven goal scorer with high character and strong hockey sense (Ottawa Senators, 2017).
The Kingston, Ontario native also has AHL experience, skating in nearly 50 games with Belleville, Toronto, Laval, and Hartford. In 2022–23, he tested his game overseas, producing 24 points in 44 games with HC Pustertal (ICEHL) and Swedish clubs Södertälje SK and Östersunds IK.
Looking Ahead
At 5’10” and 187 pounds, Luchuk blends scoring touch with leadership and versatility. His return for 2025–26 ensures Orlando has a veteran centerpiece ready to drive the offense and mentor a roster looking to break through in the South Division.
SOURCE:
Orlando Solar Bears. (2025, September 1). Solar Bears ink all-star forward Aaron Luchuk. Orlando Solar Bears.
Ottawa Senators. (2017, December 26). Senators agree to terms with Aaron Luchuk on an entry-level contract. NHL.com.
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