Orlando Magic Daily
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2017 Central Florida 85 Nos. 69-85: Happy Homecomings

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JULY 27: Arron Afflalo of the Orlando Magic addresses the media on July 27, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JULY 27: Arron Afflalo of the Orlando Magic addresses the media on July 27, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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85. Eric Baier, Orlando Solar Bears

Eric Baier was a bedrock for the Orlando Solar Bears as they came out of hibernation in 2012.

Minor league hockey is very transitory — as most minor league teams are. Rarely do players stick around for more than a year. And those who do are typically shuttling between the AHL and the ECHL in hockey, at least. Baier did that too.

But Baier became a long-standing member of the Solar Bears and its team captain. The defenseman was always knocking on the door of the AHL, but Baier was a pillar for the team and the community.

After a seven-year professional career, including four seasons with the Orlando Solar Bears, Baier officially retired at the end of the 2017 season.

In 2017, Baier appeared in 57 games scoring five goals and 25 assists. In his four years with the Solar Bears, Baier played in 233 regular season games, scoring 33 goals and dishing out 78 assists. The longevity alone likely makes him one of the best Solar Bears players of all time — or at least in the new era of Solar Bears.

But it is what Baier is doing now that he is retired that matters more and keeps him on this list for another year.

After announcing his retirement, Baier took a role with the Central Florida Hockey Club, working to grow hockey at the grassroots level in Central Florida. Florida is obviously not the first place anyone thinks of when it comes to hockey, but there are still plenty of opportunities to play. The major hub is at RDV Sportsplex but the team is also set to build another hockey center as part of the ECHL All-Star festivities a few years ago.

Baier truly came to call Central Florida and Orlando home.

"“I’m ready to move on to the next chapter in my hockey career,” Baier said. “Over the last four seasons, I have been able to play in front of the greatest fans in the ECHL. It’s why I fell in love with this city – which I proudly call home – and it’s why I feel it’s time for me to give back to the community that has embraced me.”"

Baier was a rock on the blue line for Orlando. His presence and his leadership will be missed as the Solar Bears try to recover from last year’s disappointing playoff exit.

But his presence in the community lives on.