Centre Orland Kurtenbach was a solid two-way centre who played for four different NHL teams in a career that spanned a decade and a half. He was best known for his toughness and leadership and for the fact that he was among the best fighters in the NHL.

Born in Cudworth, Saskatchewan, Kurtenbach starred with the Prince Albert Mintos of the SJHL before turning pro with the Vancouver Canucks of the WHL in 1957-58. That year he scored 54 points in 52 games and was named the Coast Division rookie-of-the-year. He spent most of his first seven pro seasons in the minors save for a brief appearance with the New York Rangers in 1960-61 and the Boston Bruins the following season.

Between 1963 and 1965 Kurtenbach saw full time duty with the Bruins playing with Dean Prentice and Andy Hebenton. He was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the 1965-66 season and impressed in the pre-season by tying Bob Pulford as the club's top point getter. Kurtenbach played one year in Hogtown before spending four years with his original team, the Rangers.

When the Vancouver Canucks were stocking their first ever roster at the 1970 expansion draft, they jumped at the chance to pick Kurtenbach and name him team captain. He thrived in his prominent role with consecutive 20-goal seasons before injuries began to reduce his playing time. He retired in 1974 to coach the Seattle Totems of the Western Hockey League.