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, Martin patrolled 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 preceding article was a press release provided by the Orlando Solar Bears.