Cincinnati Cyclones
| Company type | Professional minor league ice hockey franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ice hockey |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati , United States |
Area served | Cincinnati, Ohio and surrounding areas |
| Products | Ice hockey team |
The Cincinnati Cyclones represent a professional minor league ice hockey franchise situated in Cincinnati, Ohio, competing within the ECHL. Established in 1990, the team originally hosted games at Cincinnati Gardens and now plays at the Heritage Bank Center.
Cincinnati has been home to Cyclones teams across two distinct leagues: the International Hockey League from 1992 to 2001, and the ECHL during periods spanning 1990–1992, 2001–2004, and from 2006 to the present. Across these iterations, the franchise has earned two Kelly Cup titles (2008, 2010), secured three conference championships (2008, 2010, 2014), achieved two overall points leader distinctions (2008, 2019), and claimed six division titles (1996, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2019, 2023). The 2007–08 season stands out as their peak ECHL performance with a record-setting 55 victories and accumulation of 115 points, culminating in both conference and league championships.
History
Three distinct franchises have carried the Cincinnati Cyclones name: two within the ECHL and one in the IHL.
The initial ECHL era: 1990–1992
The inaugural Cincinnati Cyclones team was established in 1990, playing home contests at the Cincinnati Gardens. They were eliminated in the opening playoff round during their first season and advanced to the Riley Cup semifinals in their second year (1991–92). Owner Doug Kirchhofer secured a franchise in the IHL, transferring the Cyclones identity to that league. Subsequently, he sold the original ECHL team to Art Clarkson, who relocated it to become the Birmingham Bulls.
The IHL period: 1992–2001
During their debut IHL campaign, Cincinnati failed to qualify for postseason play—one of only two such seasons. Paul Lawless joined in 1992–93; he later served as head coach and vice president of player development, with his jersey retired in recognition of his contributions both on ice and in boosting attendance. Over nine seasons in the IHL, the Cyclones recorded eight consecutive campaigns exceeding 90 points before the league ceased operations in 2001. Their only division and conference regular-season titles were captured in 1995–96; however, they were defeated in a seven-game semifinal series by the Orlando Solar Bears. That season also included coach Don Jackson receiving a suspension following an incident involving the Atlanta Knights mascot.
In 1997, after lease renewal negotiations failed at Cincinnati Gardens, owner Kirchhofer acquired Riverfront Coliseum—renaming it The Crown—and undertook renovations. Over seven seasons played there—including its subsequent rebrandings as Firstar Center and later Heritage Bank Center—the team struggled to replicate prior attendance levels seen at Cincinnati Gardens until drawing a crowd of 12,722 for the decisive game of the 2008 Kelly Cup finals.
Rejoining the ECHL: 2001–2004
The third incarnation of the Cyclones franchise began as the Louisville RiverFrogs in 1995 before relocating to Miami as the Miami Matadors for a single season. Ownership then moved the team to Birmingham, Alabama, where it became dormant while searching for a new venue. Following the dissolution of the IHL, rights to the Cyclones name were obtained and this franchise was transferred back to Cincinnati.
In their first season back in the ECHL, Cincinnati ended its streak of consecutive 90+ point seasons by finishing twelve points shy despite playing fewer games. Paul Lawless took over head coaching duties midseason from Ray Edwards. Prior to the 2003–04 campaign, Chris Cichocki returned as head coach but oversaw the team’s poorest performance with only 54 points and another missed playoff berth. In April 2004, operations were suspended due to financial difficulties coupled with limited arena availability caused by ongoing downtown construction projects. This left professional hockey in Cincinnati under control of AHL competitor Cincinnati Mighty Ducks until they ceased operations in 2005 after losing their NHL affiliation.
Resumed play: 2006–present
Following a one-year hiatus from minor league hockey in Cincinnati and the cancellation of the AHL RailRaiders initiative, the Cyclones returned to competition in the 2006–07 ECHL season, hosting games at U.S. Bank Arena. They established affiliations with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens and the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. Head coach Chuck Weber earned runner-up honors for ECHL Coach of the Year and was retained for the 2007–08 campaign.
In 2007, the team expanded its affiliations to include the NHL’s Nashville Predators and the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. The 2007–08 season proved historic: after 50 contests, the Cyclones stood 31 games above .500, experienced nearly a 40% increase in attendance compared to the previous year, and exceeded prior win totals in fewer matches. They matched and subsequently surpassed ECHL records by achieving 15 consecutive victories. Finishing with 115 points, Cincinnati secured the Brabham Cup as regular season champions. Weber received the John Brophy Trophy as coach of the year; David Desharnais garnered MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Leading Scorer accolades; Chad Starling led the plus/minus statistics.
During postseason play, Cincinnati swept the Johnstown Chiefs, triumphed in a seven-game series against the Reading Royals to claim their second North Division title, then defeated the South Carolina Stingrays to win the American Conference Championship and earn the E.A. "Bud" Gingher Memorial Trophy. The Cyclones captured their inaugural Kelly Cup by overcoming the Las Vegas Wranglers in six games before a record crowd of 12,722 at U.S. Bank Arena. Goaltender Cedrick Desjardins was honored as playoff MVP.
Following this championship success, both Weber and assistant coach Dean Stork received multi-year contract extensions; Weber additionally assumed a vice presidential role within the organization. In November, Weber achieved his milestone 100th professional coaching victory.
The 2008–09 season concluded with 41 wins and another North Division title but ended with a sweep by South Carolina in the Conference Finals. The subsequent 2009–10 season saw improvement with 44 wins—leading their conference—and a second-place finish in their division but fifth overall. In playoffs, Cincinnati eliminated defending champions South Carolina and then Charlotte Checkers before making history by overcoming a 3–0 deficit against Reading Royals in the Conference Finals—the first such comeback recorded in ECHL history—winning game seven by a score of 1–0.
The Cyclones then defeated the Idaho Steelheads four games to one to secure their second Kelly Cup within three years. Highlights included last-minute game-winning goals and setting a playoff attendance record of 13,483 at U.S. Bank Arena. Rookie goaltenders Robert Mayer and Jeremy Smith were co-recipients of playoff MVP honors.
Prior to the 2010–11 season, coaching changes occurred: Dean Stork departed for Greenville Road Warriors while Chuck Weber was promoted to head coach of AHL’s Rochester Americans. Cincinnati formed a new affiliation with NHL’s Florida Panthers—parent club of Rochester—and appointed Jarrod Skalde as head coach. Despite significant roster changes, they qualified for playoffs but were eliminated in the opening round.
In 2011, Florida shifted its AHL partnership to San Antonio Rampage along with coach Weber. The Cyclones struggled during the 2011–12 campaign, recording only 35 wins and missing playoffs for just the third time since inception.
The following season marked a resurgence: Cincinnati began with nine regulation wins without defeat en route to capturing another North Division title with 42 victories; Coach Skalde earned Coach of the Year honors. The team advanced through two playoff rounds before falling to eventual champions Reading Royals.
Skalde left in July 2013 to accept an assistant coaching position in the AHL; he later became head coach of Norfolk Admirals prior to the 2014–15 season.
Under new leadership from Ben Simon (2013–14), Cincinnati achieved 41 wins and advanced to their third Kelly Cup Finals but were defeated by Alaska Aces. Goaltender Rob Madore received playoff MVP honors despite being on the losing side—a first in ECHL history—and established franchise records for playoff minutes played and saves made.
Simon departed after that season for an AHL role; Matt Macdonald succeeded him as head coach. The 2014–15 season saw Cincinnati narrowly miss postseason qualification by three points.
On February 27, 2016, during Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Night, the Cyclones set a U.S. Bank Arena attendance record with a sellout crowd of 16,529 despite losing in a shootout.
Ahead of the 2017–18 season, affiliations with Nashville Predators and Milwaukee Admirals concluded; Cincinnati partnered with Buffalo Sabres and Rochester Americans—reestablishing Buffalo’s second affiliation with Cincinnati hockey since the era of the Cincinnati Swords.
Before the start of 2018–19, Macdonald left for an assistant coaching position in the AHL; Matt Thomas was appointed head coach. Thomas guided Cincinnati to a regular-season championship (their second Brabham Cup) and earned John Brophy Award recognition as coach of the year. However, they fell short in division finals against Toledo Walleye.
Due to challenges posed by COVID-19, Cincinnati suspended operations for the 2020–21 season. Prior to resuming play in 2021–22, Thomas was promoted to assistant coach for AHL's Providence Bruins while Jason Payne was named head coach.
Uniform
Following the debut of their mascot Twister in 1995, the Cyclones prominently incorporated him into their jerseys from 1996 until 2014. Prior to the 2014–15 campaign, the team revamped its uniforms and color palette, eliminating both Twister and the yellow hue. The red tone transitioned from a deep maroon to a more vivid royal red. The refreshed emblem showcases a twister enclosed within a "C," symbolizing Cincinnati. Jersey designs shifted from traditional hockey styles to a contemporary aesthetic, featuring red shoulders and stripes extending from elbows to wrists. Home jerseys are white accented with red trim, away jerseys are black with red detailing, and alternate jerseys are sublimated black displaying a fully red crest; aside from color modifications, all three maintain similar design elements.
Season-by-season results
A selection of the most recent thirteen completed seasons for the Cincinnati Cyclones. For comprehensive season records, refer to List of Cincinnati Cyclones seasons.
| Season | League | Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | PCT | GF | GA | PIM | Coach(es) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–13 | ECHL | North | 72 | 42 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 92 | .639 | 227 | 195 | 1119 | Jarrod Skalde | Eliminated in round 3 |
| 2013–14 | ECHL | North | 72 | 41 | 23 | 4 | 4 | 90 | .625 | 247 | 204 | 839 | Ben Simon | Eliminated in round 4 |
| 2014–15 | ECHL | North | 72 | 31 | 30 | 2 | 9 | 73 | .507 | 195 | 212 | 963 | Matt Macdonald | Missed playoffs |
| 2015–16 | ECHL | Midwest | 72 | 36 | 27 | 5 | 4 | 81 | .563 | 222 | 210 | 847 | Exited in round 1 | |
| 2016–17 | ECHL | South | 72 | 36 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 79 | .549 | 200 | 209 | 949 | Did not qualify | |
| 2017–18 | ECHL | Central | 72 | 39 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 81 | .563 | 226 | 220 | 992 | Lost in round1 | |
| 2018–19 | ECHL | Central | 72 | 51 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 110 | .764 | 282 | 176 | 1050 | Matt Thomas | Lost in round2 |
| 2019–20 | ECHL | Central | 63 | 38 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 84 | .667 | 196 | 161 | 808 | Playoffs cancelled | |
| 2020–21 | Season opted out due to COVID-19 pandemic | |||||||||||||
| 2021–22 | ECHL | Central | 72 | 36 | 32 | 3 | 1 | 76 | .528 | 243 | 239 | 1110 | Jason Payne | Lost in round1 |
| 2022–23 | ECHL | Central | 72 | 47 | 16 | 6 | 3 | 103 | .715 | 266 | 216 | 1262 | Lost in round2 | |
| 2023–24 | ECHL | Central | 72 | 31 | 34 | 7 | 0 | 69 | .479 | 236 | 261 | 1013 | Did not qualify | |
| 2024–25 | ECHL | Central | 72 | 29 | 32 | 11 | 0 | 69 | .479 | 184 | 207 | 811 | Did not qualify | |
Noteworthy players
- Number 16 – Greg Stewart competed during the 2006–07 season and became the first player coached by Chuck Weber to reach the NHL with Montreal in 2008.
- Number 20 – Kevin Kerr: Holds the record for highest scoring among players who never played in the NHL, amassing 145 points in regular season play and an additional 19 points during playoffs across three seasons totaling 112 games.
- Number 21 – Gilbert Dionne: Recorded a total of 134 goals over the course of 313 games and was named MVP of the IHL All Star Game held at US Bank Arena in 1999.
- Number 22 – Don Biggs: A cornerstone of the franchise appearing in a franchise-high of 458 games and setting records with 147 goals and an overall total of 444 points throughout all iterations of the Cyclones.
- Number 30 – Cedrick Desjardins: Achieved a record of 40 wins, 23 losses, and three ties between the years of 2007 and 2009, earning MVP honors for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in 2008.
- Number 44 – J.T. Wyman: Participated during part of the '08-'09 season; became the second player under Chuck Weber to reach the NHL with Montreal in 2009, tallying two goals and nine assists over a span of forty-three NHL games.
- Number 51 – David Desharnais: Awarded both ECHL MVP and Rookie of the Year for the '07-'08 season with a total of one hundred six points; also a Kelly Cup champion and third player coached by Weber to ascend to the NHL in '09.
- Number 55 – Byron Froese: Active from 2013 until 2015, scoring forty-five points over forty-two games; later affiliated with Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, and Philadelphia Flyers organizations.
- Coach Ron Smith managed the team between years of '95 and '01, setting a franchise record with two hundred sixty-six victories.
Retired numbers
- 7* – Seventh Man (supporters)
- 22* – Don Biggs
- 13* – Paul Lawless (number retired on April 2, 1999)
- 14* – Pete Rose (number withdrawn following his baseball suspension; subsequently retired by the Cincinnati Reds in 2016)
- 21* – Gilbert Dionne (number retired on December 2, 2006)
* Indicates honorary number.