University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey captain Mark Cooper has signed a professional hockey contract with the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL.

"I honestly can't thank the University of Toronto enough for the development they've provided over the last two years," mentioned Cooper. "It goes without saying, the athletic support I received was instrumental in getting me this opportunity. Aside from that, the combination of academics and athletics developed my sense of work ethic to a point that allowed me to gain this opportunity."

After joining the Blues in 2024 after two seasons in NCAA Division I with Umass-Lowell, Cooper immediately made his mark in Blue and White. The Cambridge, Ont., native earned OUA West Defenceman of the Year and a OUA West first team all-star honours after a two goal and a league-leading 26 assist season. He was an integral piece to the Blues' OUA bronze medal birth in 2024-25.

Cooper was then named Blues captain at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, leading U of T in scoring and finishing third in scoring among all OUA defencemen with three goals and 20 assists. A puck-moving defenceman, Cooper was a key piece to U of T's defence core at both ends of the kills, served as a quarterback on the power play and was a top penalty killer for Toronto. Cooper notched six multi-point games this season and scored a career high three points on Jan. 4 in a 7-6 win over the Guelph Gryphons.

"Mark has been a top defenceman in the league during his two seasons with us and has been an instrumental member of our group on-and-off the ice," detailed Varsity Blues head coach Ryan Medel. "His love to compete and desire to win made us better. He's got a bright future ahead of him and we're looking forward to watching his journey continue."

Cooper is the sixth Blue to sign a professional contract in over the past two seasons.

"Just the idea of being able to fulfill a childhood dream - You dedicate so much of your life to a sport with no promises of it leading anywhere," added Cooper. "I'm just very thankful to be able to get the experience."

The Orlando Solar Bears are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and AHL's Syracuse Crunch.