Orlando Solar Bears Welcome New Defenseman Derick Martin to Orlando!

 
ORLANDO SOLAR BEARS ADD DERICK MARTIN
Veteran Blue-Liner Joins Team

Orlando, FL – The Orlando Solar Bears announced today that they have agreed to terms with defenseman Derick Martin.

Martin (5’11”, 185 lbs.) brings a wealth of experience to the Solar Bears lineup. Last season he appeared in 64 games with the Utah Grizzlies, his seventh season in the league. Martin totaled one goal and 11 assists in that span. During the 2010-11 season, MartinDerick Martinpatrolled the blue-line for the Victoria Salmon Kings, earning 12 points, all assists, while also serving as the team’s alternate captain.

The Timmins, Ontario, native broke into the ECHL with the Long Beach Ice Dogs in 2005-06. His ECHL resume includes 423 games played with 11 goals, 87 assists, and 355 PIM. Martin has appeared in ECHL games for Long Beach, Columbia, Texas, Alaska, Elmira, Victoria, and Utah. As a member of the Alaska Aces in 2008, Martin was named as the ECHL’s Plus Performer of the Month when he finished April with a +13 plus/minus rating.

Martin’s professional career has also seen two stops in the American Hockey League (AHL). In 2008-09, he played in 14 games for the Providence Bruins and recorded 12 PIM. He also dressed for two games with the Peoria Rivermen in 2007-08, picking up two assists and five PIM. Martin played in 22 games in France in 2007-08, leading his team in PIM with 74. He played his first pro season for the Lubbock Cotton Kings in the Central Hockey League (CHL), leading all team defensemen in points (34) and assists (25).

“Derick is a smart, veteran defenseman who knows this league inside and out,” said the Orlando Solar Bears Head Coach Drake Berehowsky. “He will be a solid player, and a good mentor for the younger guys on the team.”

Martin played 56 games over two seasons (2002-04) with Saint Mary’s University in Canada before he turned pro, picking up 11 points on one goal and 10 assists. He also spent three seasons with the Hull Olympiques in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1999-2002. In 198 games with Hull, Martin tallied seven goals, 45 assists, 282 PIM.

The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and AHL’s Houston Aeros, are coming Out of Hibernation and will play 36 regular season home games at the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year, the Amway Center, beginning October 20, 2012. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase individual tickets for all 36 regular season home games beginning at 8:00 am on Wednesday, September 19th, with tickets starting as low as $15. To purchase your tickets, please visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com or the Amway Center Box Office beginning Wednesday, September 19th.

 

The Solar Bears expect to announce a number of player signings, details regarding the formation of the OSB Alumni Association, two trophies that will be awarded annually to a current Bears player in honor and memory of both Dan Snyder and Rob Kenny, and a number of exciting promotional events over the next 2-4 weeks. The team also plans to unveil its 3rd jersey during the early portion of the season.
Follow the Solar Bears at www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.comFacebook, and Twitter(@OrlandoHockey) for all the latest news and updates.

 

Season ticket plans are available now. Everyone is invited to take advantage of the Orlando Solar Bears season ticket pre-sale offer by placing a $50 deposit per ticket now to receive seat selection priority. Full and half season ticket plans range in price from $225-$1480 per season ticket (includes facility fee), reflecting a savings of up to 42% off box office pricing. Call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200 to speak to a Ticket Sales Account Manager.
Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call407-951-8200.
Orlando Solar Bears merchandise can be purchased online at: http://shop.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/

       

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Joe’s Crab Shack Lunch and Learn

Joe’s Crab Shack entrance

Recently I visited Joe’s Crab Shack on International Drive, one of five in the Orlando area, for a Lunch and Learn about some of their great offerings. I was fortunate enough to experience this great luncheon with a handful of others to taste many of the menu items. Joe’s Crab Shack was founded in 1991 in Houston and now has over a hundred locations in more than 30 states.Their menu features great seafood from Alaska, New England and the Gulf Coast.

Shrimp

The lunch was hosted by Chef George, who had come in from Texas just for this event. As he introduced each item samples were brought out for us to try. First we tried the Gulf shrimp first, both hot and cold, served with Old Bay seasoning, ready to peel. These were amazing! I loved these. I had a slight preference for them chilled as opposed to warm, but both were great.

Before we tasted the food, Chef George made sure he let us know the best way to approach each type of seafood. For instance, I learned that snow crab is sweet and mild and their crab legs can be opened using a zipper. The also sweet king crab can also be opened using the zipper, but the more mild Dungeness crab legs need to use a cracker. We each had an opportunity to try the different kinds of crab that are the stars of most of the Steampots on the menu. Different crab appetizers and entrees make up half of the entire menu at Joe’s. Don’t worry, even if seafood isn’t your thing, they have plenty of items like steak, pasta, chicken and burgers as well as salads for the vegetarians.

Chef George displaying the Bean Town Bake Steampot

The food was all incredible, and the luncheon was very informative. I have never been to Joe’s Crab Shack before, but have always been a huge fan of seafood, and I even learned some new things. For instance, a 1 1/4 lb. lobster only is about 90 calories. The kids’ menu was inspired by Chef George’s son and is color coded to make picking different options fun for the kids. Fun fact, one person’s job is just to shuck corn all day. Joe’s sells between 1 and 1.5 million crab legs each year. Crab legs are very low in calories and have the good kind of cholesterol.

After having tried a good portion of the menu items, we came to the consensus that the favorite was the Samuel Adams Steampot, which has snow crab, a pound of clams, lobster claws and smoked sausage that have all been steamed in Sam Adams. This was the most delicious thing that I tried hands down! Everything was fabulous, but the flavors complemented each other so well and the Sam Adams just married them all together perfectly. To finish up, we sampled some of the new drinks on the menu and then had the delectable Homemade Berry Cobbler for dessert.

Homemade Berry Cobbler a la mode

I learned a lot about the variety of menu items Joe’s Crab Shack has to offer. The food and service were awesome and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any and all of what I tried to anyone who enjoys seafood. I cannot wait to go back to Joe’s sometime soon and highly encourage you to go visit your nearest Joe’s Crab Shack soon. They even have a great playground area for kids and tons of outdoor seating and sometimes offer live entertainment. With lots of seating inside and out, Joe’s Crab Shack is a great venue for parties of all kinds and sizes. Check out Joe’s on your next visit to the Orlando area or find your nearest Joe’s here. Thank you to Joe’s for hosting such a great event and I look forward to visiting again soon!

 

Chef George demonstrating proper method
Crackers and zippers
Eat Me
Joe’s Classic Steampot
New drinks on the menu
Outdoor seating
Playground
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