The Connecticut Whale announced the re-signing of veteran defender Elena Orlando on Monday morning. Orlando will enter her sixth season in the league, her fifth with the Whale. She began her NWHL career with the then New York Riveters in 2015.
Orlando appeared in 24 games for the Whale in 2019-20, a career-high. She registered three points (0 g, 3 a) and 12 penalty minutes for the club while playing a shutdown role.
“As a veteran defender, Elena is a huge part of our core group,” Connecticut GM Bray Ketchum said in an official release. “She stepped up big for us last season and we will continue to rely on her in all situations. Elena is a leader on and off the ice and we are thrilled she is back for the 2020-21 NWHL season.”
The California native was honored for her commitment to the league with an All-Star selection in 2020, along with the other original NWHL’ers. Orlando is also a previous recipient of the ‘NWHL Foundation Award’ for her service to the game of hockey.
In addition to playing in the NWHL, Orlando is a nursing consultant for Key Human Services. The Connecticut-based company, per the NWHL’s release, “creates opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to grow and make meaningful life choices, and provides assistance for people to live, work, build relationships, and participate in the community.”
Contract details were not released.
