The Defender of The Ice May Have Arrived

The Defender of The Ice May Have Arrived
By Corey Hagood

Remember the famous line from Rocky IV “Whatever he hits, he destroys?” Well you may be hearing that phrase around Oakland University Hockey next season. At 6’6 and 235 pounds defenseman Todd Orlando is truly a beast on the ice.

Just look at the last prospect camp, which took place August 4^th and 5^th at the Onxy in Rochester as the perfect example of why Orlando should make D1. Other players would move in to make a hit and as they got closer and realized it would not be a good idea to hit a beast like Orlando so they hit brakes and danced around him.

Unfortunately for one prospect at this weekend’s camp who went to hit Orlando, he ended up on the ground in pain not Orlando and one Oakland Coach put it best when he said “Not a smart decision.” Many players and coaches around the ACHA will be saying those same words should Orlando make the team.

Orlando had two goals and nine assists for the Sarnia Blast last season while spending 105 minutes in the Penalty Box. The key for Orlando will be to stay out of the box while bringing that physical presence that Oakland has been lacking on the ice.

We always have wondered who would protect and defend the Grizzlies best scorers on the ice, Orlando is a type of player that is coveted in every league and every level of hockey and if all goes right he will be the answer for D1.

Orlando and the rest of the prospects will have one more chance to prove they belong on D1 at the tryout camp in early September where we all will learn who will defend the 2007 ACHA D1 National Championship that the Grizzlies rightfully earned.

Questions and comments contact Corey at coreyh@wxousports.com

Orlando Photo From Sarnia Blast