Editor’s Note: Last updated at 3:23 p.m. with quote from Coach Ortiz.
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FRAMINGHAM – Framingham High boys ice hockey Coach Will Ortiz, who has been leading the Flyers since 2016, is leaving.
Ortiz met with players and parents last night, June 30, the same day the Framingham High football coach announced he was leaving.
“Thank you to all of my players, students, colleagues, and supervisors. The past 10 years will forever be a part of my journey and Framingham will forever be a part of who I am. The decision to leave Framingham was hard and a lot of factors played a role into the decision. The main reason for leaving was solely based on what we thought was in the best interest for our family. With that, it was an honor to have taught, coach, and work along side such amazing students, athletes, and staff. The memories and relationships built will last and continue to grow. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that Framingham provided me. It is bittersweet but I am excited to see what the future has in store for me. Thank you to my Flyer Family,” said Ortiz in an email to the digital news outlet.
Ortiz was hired in September 2016 by Framingham Athletic Director Paul Spear, who had coaches the boys ice hockey team for 17 season, including when Ortiz was a Flyer.
In his first season head coach Ortiz took the Flyers to the Division 1 state championship game at the Garden in Boston. It was the first state title game since 2004, when Ortiz was on the team.
The Flyers lost to St. Mary’s of Lynn 4-2. But the South Sectional champion Framingham finished 16-7-4 in its first season under Ortiz.
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In March 2019, the Flyers finished the season 17-5-2, losing to the Harbormen of Hingham in the Super 8 Tourney.
In 2020, the Flyers defeated the Reading High Rockets 3-2 in double-overtime in the Super 8 play-in game, but lost to Arlington 2-1, and finished the season 15-6-2.
Ortiz’s last season wasn’t even a season, but a handful of games in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Will has done an incredible job,” said Spear to SOURCE Wednesday night June 30. “I’ve known him since he played for me as a freshman. I’m going to miss him as a colleague.”
SOURCE has learned that Ortiz is leaving Framingham High completed, both as a coach and teacher, and headed to a private school.