Sean Avery explains why his contract with the ECHL's Solar Bears didn't last
Just two days after signing a contract with the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, Sean Avery and the team have parted ways, and he's been released from the deal. This came as a surprise to many, as Avery has been talking about an NHL comeback the past few months, and this was thought to be step one in accomplishing that goal for the 41-year-old.
There's been plenty of speculation over why Avery's contract lasted just 48 hours, with many assuming that bids by guys like Matthew Barnaby and Georges Laraque to sign one-game deals with rival teams just to fight Avery may have turned off the Solar Bears. In a new Instagram story, Avery said that's not the case.
"God bless the Orlando Solar Bears," said Avery. "The boys let me skate for a few days. Three bag skates in a row. Loved every f---in minute of it."
"But I miss my little guy Nash too much," said Avery, referring to his young son. "I gotta get back to California and the little guy."
While there's been nothing said about it by either Avery or the Solar Bears, my guess is this was little more than a publicity stunt for both parties. I sincerely doubt Avery was ever planning to play, nor were the Solar Bears intending to play him. In the end, they both got what they wanted. Avery said he's going back to doing his podcast. There was absolutely no mention of continuing his comeback attempt in the post.
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YESTERDAY
APRIL 27, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Brett Howden | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Eichel | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mikhail Sergachev | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nick Schmaltz | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Sidney Crosby | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Noah Hanifin | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Rasmus Ristolainen | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Alex Bump | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Michael Carcone | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ian Cole | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Connor Dewar | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Clayton Keller | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kristopher Letang | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Travis Sanheim | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Cole Smith | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Elmer Soderblom | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Shea Theodore | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Noah Cates | - | 1 | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||