The Orlando Solar Bears have officially named Matt MacDonald as their new Head Coach and General Manager ahead of the 2025–26 ECHL season. A familiar face within the league, MacDonald brings with him nearly two decades of pro hockey experience as a player, coach, and executive.
A Proven Leader Returns to the ECHL
MacDonald served as head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones from 2014 to 2019, compiling a 216–115–19 regular season record over five seasons. Under his leadership, the Cyclones reached the Kelly Cup Playoffs four times, recorded three 40-win seasons, and were crowned Brabham Cup Champions in 2018–19 after finishing with the league’s best regular-season record. That same season, he was honored as the ECHL Coach of the Year, a reflection of both team performance and developmental success.
Following his time in Cincinnati, MacDonald served as an assistant coach with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (now Bridgeport Islanders) during the 2019–20 AHL season, working under the New York Islanders’ system. He later joined the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he spent four seasons helping guide Detroit Red Wings prospects and deepening his experience at the professional level.
Across his ECHL career, MacDonald became known for building structured, high-competitive teams with a strong developmental pipeline. His systems emphasized puck management, defensive responsibility, and pace—principles he’s expected to bring with him to Orlando.
MacDonald’s Vision for Orlando
The Solar Bears’ new bench boss is ready to get to work. In the team’s official release, MacDonald shared:
“I’m extremely excited to join the Solar Bears organization and to have the opportunity to lead the hockey operations. This is a team and community with great potential, and I’m looking forward to helping build a winning culture in Orlando” (Orlando Solar Bears, 2025, para. 3).
As both head coach and general manager, MacDonald will oversee roster construction, systems development, and day-to-day operations, bringing a unified approach to the team’s performance and evolution over the course of the upcoming season.
What Fans Can Expect
Solar Bears fans can look forward to a new chapter marked by structure, speed, and a commitment to development. With MacDonald’s experience at both the ECHL and AHL levels, he’s uniquely positioned to build a competitive roster while preparing players for the next step.
After a stretch of mixed results, Orlando’s decision to bring in a leader with a proven track record signals a renewed push for consistency and playoff contention, especially in a division widely regarded as one of the toughest in the league.
Source:
Orlando Solar Bears. (2025, July 9). Orlando Solar Bears announce hiring of Matt MacDonald as head coach and general manager.
Discover more from Inside The Rink
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
