The Austin Bruins have announced the hiring of Kenny Orlando as the team’s new assistant coach.

Orlando, 26, arrives in Austin with three years of collegiate coaching experience. He was an assistant coach at Temple University in 2016-2017 and he was head coach at Villanova for the past two seasons. Orlando built a 33-29-3 record with back-to-back postseason appearances including a trip to the ECHA Championship in his first year at the helm with the Villanova Ice Cats.

“We are excited to have Kenny join our staff,” said Bruins head coach Steve Howard. “He was recommended to me by a friend and he’s been doing a great job from the moment he got here.”

Orlando played college hockey at SUNY-Canton in New York, but only competed in a handful of games before a career-ending injury opened the door to coaching. The former forward will add offensive insight to Howard’s coaching staff.

“Kenny brings a lot of things to the table with his video background, coaching skills, training, and work ethic. We plan to have him working with the Bruins forwards and power play units this season,” said Howard.

Orlando is excited to coach with the Bruins, who are entering their 10th year as an NAHL franchise.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Bruins organization and included in a community that’s so passionate about hockey,” Orlando said. “It’s exciting to work with quality hockey players who aspire to further their careers. My goal is to expand on the Bruins continued success of placing players in NCAA programs and into the pros.”