Hockey Operations

Macdonald was named Solar Bears Head Coach and General Manager on July 10, 2025, becoming the sixth head coach in Solar Bears franchise history. 

Macdonald, 42, has spent the last seven seasons as an Assistant Coach in the American Hockey League (AHL), most recently with the Bridgeport Islanders (2023-2025), and previously with the Grand Rapids Griffins (2018-2023). Macdonald also spent six seasons behind the bench for the Cincinnati Cyclones, including four years as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. In those four seasons, the Cyclones tallied a 142-116-16-14 record and two appearances in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. 

As a player, the Niagara Falls, Ont. native skated in seven professional seasons as a defenseman logging 385 career games between the CHL (2005-06), ECHL (2006-09), AHL (2007-09), Italy (2009-10; 2011-12) and Denmark (2010-11). He combined for 133 points (30g-103a), and 601 penalty minutes. Macdonald also appeared in 66 playoff games in his playing career, 44 as a member of the Cincinnati Cyclones, where he scored 14 points (5g-9a), earned 71 penalty minutes, and helped lead Cincinnati to its first ever Kelly Cup title in 2008. Macdonald played college hockey at St. Lawrence University (2001-05), where he had 30 points (14g-16a) in 118 games. 

The Solar Bears new bench boss will be relocating to Orlando with his wife, Erin, their daughter Hazel, and son, Max.

Marc Terriault joins the Solar Bears for his first season as Goalie Coach. The Montreal, Quebec native spent four seasons in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) as Goalie Coach with the Moncton Wildcats (2019-2021), Baie-Comeau Drakkar (2022-23), and Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (2023-24). 

Terriault's playing career included time with the Florida Eels during the 2012-13 season.  He later attended Saint Mary's University (Halifax, NS), playing four seasons of college hockey. 

Nelson enters his first season with the Solar Bears as Head Athletic Trainer. The Chesapeake, Virginia native gradated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training from Longwood University. While he was in school, Nelson received the opportunity to work with the Norfolk Admirals. He is currently working on his Masters of Exercise Science from Pennsylvania Western University. 

Nelson comes to Orlando by way of the Mississippi Sea Wolves in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). 

Darien Engelhardt joins the Solar Bears for his first season with the club. He comes to Orlando from the Western Hockey League, where he spent the last six seasons as Head Equipment Manager of the Swift Current Broncos (2021-24) and Calgary Hitmen (2017-20). Engelhardt previously spent time in the ECHL as Equipment Manager of the Atlanta Gladiators (2016-18).