ECHL: Solar Bears Sign Rookie Goaltender Ethan Langenegger

The Orlando Solar Bears are turning to youth and consistency in net, signing rookie goaltender Ethan Langenegger for the 2025–26 ECHL season. At 25, the Kamloops, British Columbia native arrives with a proven track record of handling heavy workloads at the NCAA level, plus a glimpse of professional action.

NCAA Career

Langenegger began his NCAA career with Lake Superior State, where he steadily developed into a reliable starter across four seasons. As a freshman in 2020–21, he picked up his first collegiate win against Alabama Huntsville and finished with a 2–1–0 record, 2.27 GAA, and .906 save percentage (Lake Superior State, 2023).

His sophomore season marked his breakout. Langenegger started 22 games, recorded a 10–11–1 record, 2.65 GAA, and .912 save percentage, and delivered three shutouts—including a 1–0 win over top-ranked Minnesota State. He earned multiple CCHA Goaltender of the Week honors and was later named CCHA Co-Goaltender of the Month for February 2022.

As a junior, he logged a career-high 25 games, stopping 653 shots while maintaining a .909 save percentage. He even earned his first career point with an assist against Clarkson and capped the year with a 41-save shutout of #17 Michigan Tech in December 2022. Those efforts landed him on the CCHA All-Academic Team (Lake Superior State, 2023).

Over four years with the Lakers, Langenegger appeared in 85 games, totaling more than 4,500 minutes in net and four career shutouts.

Clarkson: Graduate Breakthrough

Seeking one more challenge, Langenegger transferred to Clarkson University in 2024–25. He seized the starting role, helping Clarkson to a 22–10–2 record while posting a 2.14 GAA and .914 save percentage in 35 games. He also logged a season-high 37 saves against Brown on Jan. 18, 2025, and played more than 67 minutes in a playoff duel with Harvard (Clarkson Athletics, 2025).

That graduate year cemented his reputation as a poised, durable starter ready to make the leap into professional hockey.

First Pro Glimpse

Langenegger made his AHL debut with the Syracuse Crunch on April 19, 2025, against Utica. In 38:14 of ice time, he faced 26 shots, turned aside 23, and allowed three goals, finishing with a 4.71 GAA and .885 save percentage. While the result went down as a loss, the outing gave him valuable experience at the professional level and an early look at the pace of pro hockey.

Junior Dominance in Salmon Arm

Before college, Langenegger starred for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL). His 2019–20 season remains one of the most memorable in recent franchise history: a 23–15–3 record, .908 save percentage, and three shutouts, capped by a perfect 4–0 playoff run with a 1.25 GAA and .957 save percentage. He was named team MVP and earned BCHL Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks.

What This Means for Orlando

For the Solar Bears, signing Langenegger signals a commitment to a goalie with big-game experience and the ability to adapt quickly. He’s faced elite NCAA competition, stolen playoff games in juniors, and already proven he can carry a starter’s workload. Orlando fans can expect him to bring composure, consistency, and the occasional highlight-reel save to Kia Center.

Five Things to Know About Ethan Langenegger

1. Four-Year Laker – Logged 85 games and more than 4,500 minutes with Lake Superior State.
2. Big-Game Goalie – Shut out #17 Michigan Tech with 41 saves in 2022.
3. Clarkson Backbone – Started 35 games in 2024–25, posting a 2.14 GAA and .914 save percentage.
4. Junior MVP – Named Salmon Arm Silverbacks MVP in 2019–20 after a dominant playoff run.
5. Academic Standout – Multiple-time CCHA All-Academic honoree.

SOURCES:

Clarkson Athletics. (2025). Ethan Langenegger – 2024–25 men’s hockey roster. Clarkson University Athletics.

Lake Superior State. (2023). Ethan Langenegger – 2022–23 men’s hockey roster. LSSU Athletics.