Rylee Orr and Chris Nell have announced their resignations from the Marian University NCAA men’s ice hockey program to pursue new positions.

“I could not be more excited for both Chris and Rylee in their jump to the next level,” said Head NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Coach Clay Van Diest.  “They have both been a major part of our program the last two seasons, and I can’t wait to see hem succeed at the next level.”

Orr spent two seasons as an assistant coach and played a vital role in running the Marian special teams.  Under his leadership, the Marian penalty kill and power play unit each ranked in the top three of the NCHA.  The Sabre power play was especially potent ranking 13th in the entire nation at 24.1 percent.  The Sabres were able to qualify for the NCHA Harris Cup in both seasons he was a Sabre.  Orr doesn’t head far from Marian as he takes over the men’s ice hockey program at NCHA rival Lawrence University.

Nell spent time as a goaltender coach for both the Sabre men’s and women’s ice hockey programs after a long career in the ECHL and AHL.  He also spent time coaching for Green Bay Notre Dame Academy and the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. In his first season as a Sabre, both ice hockey programs had a goaltender selected to the All-NCHA team.  Then in his second campaign, the women’s ice hockey program had a goaltender earn an All-NCHA spot for the second time, the first student-athlete in program history to earn multiple all-conference awards.  Nell departs Marian to serve as an assistant coach and director of hockey operations at the NCAA Division I level for Colgate University.