Orlando returns to the Mustangs in 2024-2025 for his 5th year and 2nd season at the NCDC level. Last season, Orlando led the Mustangs to a Mountain Division Championship after collecting a regular-season record of 37-12-3-1 and a post season record of 7-1-2. This journey concluded in the final game of the Dineen Cup Finals with an overtime loss to the South Shore Kings. The Mustangs earned multiple individual player awards, 2023-2024 Organization of the Year in the Mountain Division, and 2023-2024 Coach of the Year in the Mountain Division. The power play ranked 4th in the NCDC and penalty kill finished 3rd in the NCDC.

 

After a competitive first three years in the Mountain Division of the USPHL Premier level, the Mustangs have amassed a 95-43-6-8 record under Orlando's reign. Orlando landed in Ogden after spending the 2019-2020 season with the Austin Bruins of the NAHL where he served as the Assistant Coach. Orlando's offensive prowess helped lead the forward group as well as the power-play units. Orlando takes pride in his team's power play execution which has been at the top of their respective divisions for the past 4 seasons, 2019-2020 Austin Bruins 23.1% and 2020-2023 Ogden Mustangs 22.3%, 26.3%, & 35.8% (2023 being the top % in the USPHL). In 2022-2023 the Ogden Mustangs set the all-time Single Season Power Play Goal record with 93 power play goals in just 52 regular season games. Orlando's ability to break down film and access team strengths and weaknesses has been crucial for all of the programs he's coached to this point.  

 

Before heading to Austin, Orlando previously served as Head Coach of Villanova University (ACHA) from 2017-19. Orlando saw great success with the IceCats in his two-year stint with the program and appearing in the ECHA playoffs in both seasons. In his first season, the Villanova University IceCats went the distance to the ECHA Championship. The Cinderella story fell just short in overtime to Drexel University. His second year eventually paved the way for a record of 33-29-3 combined as Head Coach. Before making his collegiate head coaching debut, he also served as Assistant Coach at Temple University (ACHA) for two seasons. 

 

While he was a player, Orlando's career covered a vast majority of the United States and parts of Canada. He was a member of the New Mexico Renegades of the WSHL in 2011-13, where he was the leading scorer and Captain. He then played in the KIJHL and EHL before moving onto Division III college hockey. He attended and played hockey for SUNY-Canton (Division III) before his career was cut short due to injury. However, this helped pave the way for him to jump straight into a career in coaching that has been nothing short of astounding. 

 

Orlando hails from Chalfont, PA, where he and his family are the proud owners of Hatfield Ice Arena in Colmar, PA. During the off-season, Orlando returns home to organize camps and training for young aspiring hockey players. His work ethic, integrity, and desire to grow the game of hockey help re-affirm his quick ascension in the hockey ranks. He is excited to start his fourth season with the Mustangs, moving up to the NCDC level, and continue the prestige of the Ogden Mustangs brand.