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Davis Journal

From hockey player to coach, Orlando’s career brought him to Utah

Apr 24, 2023 12:51PM ● By Becky Ginos

Ogden Mustangs Head Coach and General Manager Kenny Orlando has been with the team since 2020. The Mustangs finished in second place this season and went to the national tournament in New York.  Photo by Jonny Berry

FARMINGTON—Kenny Orlando stepped on the ice when he was 3 years old and hasn’t left the rink since. Orlando is the Head Coach and General Manager of the Ogden Mustangs Hockey team and moved to Davis County when he took the position in 2020. 

“My dad played and had a love and passion for it,” said Orlando, who is originally from Chalfont, Penn. “So there was no turning back. I played under him as a coach from the age of 6 to 16. He coached my buddies in the area and built a rink about two minutes away so it was a very convenient situation.”

Orlando took hockey to another level when he moved to the junior league, he said. “I went all over the country, Philly, New Mexico, British Columbia, Scranton, Pennsylvania, all over the place. I wanted to stay involved after I was done chasing the dream when a concussion took me out of the game.”

Orlando said he loved the game too much to step away. “That’s what got me into the coaching side of it.”

His first job was at Temple University where he coached while he finished his schooling, Orlando said. “Then I became Head Coach at Villanova University that was just down the road. I moved into the junior hockey world in Austin, Minnesota and was there for a year then moved here where I’ve been for the last three years.”

The move has been great, he said. “The people here are so nice, so caring. We have an extremely loyal fan base. I’ve enjoyed it. I’m happy where I am.”

The Mustangs had a good season, said Orlando. “We finished in second place and had a good playoff run. We went to the national tournament in Utica, New York. It gave the young guys extra exposure for coaches watching and recruiting. We had some individual and team accomplishments and set some records. Putting yourself in the history books is definitely an honor.”

It’s a dynamic team, he said. “The players are 17-20 years old. You can turn 21 after the season begins but you can only start at 20. Most are striving to earn a college scholarship or to go professional whether it’s in the U.S. or even overseas.”

With the age restriction, the roster is a revolving door, Orlando said. “Recruiting is tough because you have different spots whenever someone leaves. Only five to 10 players return. It’s almost a fresh start each season.”

Orlando travels around all summer to watch different hockey players to fill his roster. “Our number one source are recruiting videos that we watch and analyze,” he said. “We also go recruiting to places we know high caliber players are at so we can get in front of them and we get a lot of recommendations from coaches at the younger levels.”

One of the biggest changes coming from Pennsylvania to Utah is the environment, said Orlando. “It’s been a shock. Pennsylvania is very green with lots of trees and humidity. There’s a different climate that’s more comfortable out here.”

Orlando didn’t know how to ski when he first came to Utah but gave it a try. “I’ve skied twice,” he said. “It’s something I’ve never done before. I think since I have a hockey background it was easier. My first time I was able to go down some greens and blues. I enjoyed it.”

When he’s not in the rink, Orlando hikes, fishes and plays golf back home. “My two biggest hobbies are golf and spending time at the beach at our house in New Jersey,” he said. “We have a couple of wave runners.”

Hockey has been a family affair, said Orlando. “My dad still coaches and my sister played competitively from 7 to 17. My mom got forced into it but she’s a huge support system for all of us.”

Orlando’s younger brother Keith ended up on his team this season. “It was a cool experience for me, something I’ll probably never get to do again,” he said. “We enjoyed a playoff run and it was cool to coach him through that.”

It’s so rewarding as a coach to give back to the players, said Orlando. “Players who have the same drive as I had and help them through that.”

Orlando said he is especially grateful to the Ogden community. “We have a fan base that is close to the program. We couldn’t do this without the fans. Their loyalty to the team is a necessity for us to survive.” λ