The 28-year-old has spent the past three seasons with the Canterbury Red Devils and captained the team last year.
But the electrician is returning home to be closer to family and is looking forward to what will be his 11th season with the Dunedin Thunder.
He clocked 147 games for the club before shifting to Christchurch in 2022.
"I just want to go home and spend a bit more time with my parents and family and, I don’t know, just reset a bit," he said.
"I played 10 years there and I am really excited to be back wearing green."
The Thunder had a tough season last year. They finished last. But Orr likes what he sees brewing.
"I like where the Thunder's gone the last few years.
"There's been a huge amount of work that's gone on this offseason as well. And I think we all kind of feel something big coming.
"I'm pretty happy with what we've got so far. It's looking a bit different."
The Thunder have been in a rebuilding phase following the departure of some senior players.
The group did not gel last season. But with another year together and an experienced player like Orr returning, the signs are more promising.
"I think the younger guys have grown up a bit. We've got a few guys returning and, obviously, when an import likes it and stays and wants to develop hockey here, it's a massive thing," he said, referring to Canadian Cole Beckstead, who starred for the Thunder last year and has accepted a position as the general manager of the Dunedin Ice Hockey Club.
Beckstead can now play as a local on the roster which means they can bring in another import and strengthen the lineup.
The New Zealand Ice Hockey League gets under way in March.
