Orlando, Florida- Former GMHL goaltender Clint Windsor has signed a contract extension with the Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and then attended the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2019 Development Camp.

Windsor joined the GMHL in 2009-2010 as a sixteen year-old rookie, playing for the Innisfil Lakers. Windsor was a highly touted prospect at the time, being drafted #68 in the fourth round by the Barrie Colts in the 2009 OHL Priority Draft the summer before he joined the Lakers. The Lakers had a strong team that season, which included Nils Berger who now plays in the NLB in Switzerland. The Lakers relied on Windsor in net as a rookie, starting him fifteen games that season, helping the Lakers finish fifth place in the standings with a stat line of 4.02 GAA and .891 Save Percentage. Windsor was pegged as the starting goalie for the team during the playoffs too, playing every game for the team. Unfortunately the Lakers would be swept in the first round despite Windsor’s .914 Save Percentage.  Windsor’s time in the GMHL helped develop him and adjust him to the junior level, and with his impressive year, he was ready to advance to Major Juniors, moving on to the OHL.

Windsor went on to play in the OHL, where he would go on to play 100 Games between the Barrie Colts, the Saginaw Spirit, the Mississauga Steelheads, and the Ottawa 67’s. During his time at the OHL level, Windsor gained a reputation as an elite goaltender, and would return to the Junior A level for his final season of junior hockey, playing in the MJAHL, where he would become an All-Star for the Miramachi Timberwolves. With five years of junior hockey experience, including three full seasons of major junior experience, Windsor was highly sought after by USports teams.

In the summer of 2014, Windsor committed to Brock University, where he would become the starting goalie for the team for the next four seasons. Windsor’s best years with Brock came in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 Seasons. In the 2016-2017 Season, Windsor would post a 2.33 GAA and .945 Save Percentage, earning attention from the Toronto Marlies, who would sign Windsor to an ATO in the middle of the season when Garrett Sparks was injured, practicing with the team for a week. While Windsor wasn’t signed by the Marlies after his ATO, it was an eye opening experience for him. The following season would be his best season with Brock University, posting a stat line of 2.51 GAA and .930 Save Percentage in the regular season, and a 2.52 GAA and .937 Save Percentage in the playoffs. Windsor’s play for Brock that year earned him USports (OUA West) First All-Star Team, USports (OUA West) Goaltender of the Year, USports (OUA) Goaltender of the Year, USports (OUA) Silver Medal, and Brock University Male Athlete of the Year. After capping off his University career with an incredible season, Windsor had multiple professional offers, however he ended up signing with the Herlev Eagles in Denmarks top league.

Windsor struggled in his first year of professional hockey with the Eagles, and they decided to sign a Swedish goalie who had become a free agent, and buying out Windsors contract before the Christmas Break. Windsor wouldn’t be without a team for long though, and was contacted by the Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In eight appearances with Orlando, Windsor posted a 4-2-1 record with a 2.48 goals-against average and a save percentage of .926, helping the team clinch its third consecutive postseason appearance. Had Windsor played enough minutes to qualify, Windsor would have placed seventh in the ECHL in GAA and third in save percentage.

Now, the Orlando Solar Bears have agreed to terms with rookie goaltender Clint Windsor for the 2019-20 Season. Windsor then attended development camp with the Tampa Bay Lightning, taking place the following week at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon, where he is the second GMHL player to attend an NHL Development Camp this summer.

“Clint is a big goalie with a ton of athleticism and range,” Solar Bears Head Coach and General Manager Drake Berehowsky said. “Last season he showed he was a team-first guy who was able to seize his opportunity, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do for us for the coming year.”

“It was a no-brainer to come back to the Solar Bears for another season,” Windsor said. “After talking with the coaching staff, I’m excited for the direction the organization is heading in.”

Between the OHL, USports, ECHL, and the AHL, Windsor has played among the highest levels of hockey in the world that has seen many of the world’s best players. The GMHL is proud to see one of its alumni playing at these levels of hockey, and we wish Windsor continued success at the professional level.