Cincinnati Cyclones

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Cincinnati Cyclones
City:	Cincinnati, Ohio
League:	ECHL
Conference:	American Conference
Division:	North Division
Founded:	1990
Home Arena:	US Bank Arena
Colors:	Red, Yellow, Black
Owner(s):	Nederlander Cincinnati
General Manager:	Ray Harris
Head Coach:	Chuck Weber
Affiliates:	Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators (NHL), Hamilton Bulldogs and Milwaukee Admirals (AHL)
Franchise history
1998 to 1999:	Miami Matadors
1999 to Present:	Cincinnati Cyclones
Championships
Regular Season Titles:	2007–08
Division Championships:	2007–08
Conference Championships:	2007–08
Kelly Cups:	2007–08

The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio who have played in the ECHL and the International Hockey League. Founded in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at U.S. Bank Arena.

The Cyclones are the current ECHL Kelly Cup Champions, having won the title with a six game victory over the Las Vegas Wranglers in the final.

[edit] History of the Cincinnati Cyclones

There have been three separate entities, or franchises, known as the Cincinnati Cyclones. All three franchises have been hockey teams, two in the ECHL and one in the IHL. Out of those teams, the 2007-08 team has been the most successful, and one of successful teams in ECHL history, solidified by the 2008 Kelly Cup Championship.

[edit] The early ECHL years: 1990–1992

The first franchise to use the name Cincinnati Cyclones was founded in 1990. The team played their games during this time period at the Cincinnati Gardens. They lost in the first round of the playoffs in the 1990–1991 season. In the 1991–1992 season, the Cyclones lost in the Riley Cup semi-finals. The team's owner at the time, Doug Kirchoffer, was granted an IHL franchise who chose to move the Cyclones name to that franchise and relocate the ECHL franchise to Birmingham, Alabama to form the new Birmingham Bulls, taking star netminder Sandy Galuppo south with the team.

Since moving to Birmingham, this franchise has seen stints in three cities across the United States. The franchise played in Birmingham from the 1992–1993 season until the 2000–2001 season. Following the completion of the 2000–2001 season, the franchise moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey to become the short-lived Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies. The Boardwalk Bullies played for four seasons, the 2001–2002 season through the 2004–2005 season, before being moved to another city. While in New Jersey, the franchise won a Kelly Cup Championship in the 2002–2003 season, defeating the Columbia Inferno in the finals. Despite the success on ice, the Boardwalk Bullies were unable to draw much of a crowd, and as a result, were sold to the current ownership group. This ownership group moved the team to Stockton, California and changed the name to the Stockton Thunder. The franchise has been in Stockton since 2005–2006 and are coached by a former Cincinnati Cyclones player, Chris Cichocki.

[edit] The IHL years: 1992–2001

The first season in the IHL, Cincinnati failed to qualify for the post-season, which would be the first of only two seasons where they did not qualify. Paul Lawless, who would eventually be Head Coach and Vice President of Player Development and have his number 13 retired, began his first a several stints with the team in the 1992–1993 season. On Friday, April 2, 2004, during his number retirement ceremony, he was singled out as a reason for the team's success, both on the ice and in attendance. During the IHL years, the Cyclones set a team record of 8 consecutive 90+ Point Seasons, ending with the IHL itself folding. During the Cyclones 9 years in the IHL, they won their only Division Championship and Conference Championship, both in the 1995–1996 season, but lost in a seven-game semi-final series to the Orlando Solar Bears.

In 1997, the Cyclones' lease agreement with the Cincinnati Gardens came to an end and the two sides were unable to reach an agreement for a new contract. It was at this time that team owner, Doug Kirchoffer purchased what then was known as Riverfront Coliseum in downtown Cincinnati, re-named it The Crown, renovated the arena, and moved the team there. During the seven seasons the Cyclones were in the arena, the venue was re-named the Firstar Center and now is known as U.S. Bank Arena. The team has since been unsuccessful in reclaiming the higher attendance numbers from the Cincinnati Gardens.

On June 4, 2001, the International Hockey League ceased operations.

[edit] Back in the ECHL: 2001-2007

The third franchise with the name Cyclones started in the 1995–1996 ECHL season as the Louisville River Frogs, playing in Louisville, Kentucky. After three years in Louisville, the team moved to Miami, Florida. After the lone season, 1998–1999, as the Miami Matadors, the franchise eventually came into the ownership of a group in Birmingham, Alabama. Upon the IHL fold, the Cyclones name was sold to this ownership group who moved the franchise to Cincinnati to become the new Cincinnati Cyclones.

The first year back in the ECHL ended the team's streak of 90+ Point seasons with the Cyclones finishing just 12 points shy despite a 10 game fewer season length. During this first season back in the ECHL is when former Cyclones player Paul Lawless became head coach, as a mid-season replacement for Ray Edwards.

Before the start of the 2003–2004 season former Cyclones player and assistant coach Chris Cichocki left the Arkansas RiverBlades in order to return as the Cyclones head coach. Despite his success with Arkansas, though, Cichocki led the team to their worst season in points at 54 (previous low being the 61 points in their first IHL season) and finishing shy of the playoffs for the second time in team history.

Shortly after ending the season without a playoff berth, in April 2004, the Cyclones suspended operations. This suspension in operations was mainly due to lack of revenue brought on by a lack of safe access to the arena. Safe access was limited by construction in Downtown Cincinnati. This dormancy left Cincinnati hockey to the cross-town, Cincinnati Gardens-based AHL rival, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and stopped the city's record of two minor league hockey teams in the same city for consecutive years.

With minor league hockey dormant in Cincinnati for a year, and plans for the proposed AHL Cincinnati RailRaiders franchise scrapped for 2006–07, on April 21, 2006 the Cyclones announced that they would participate in the upcoming 2006–2007 ECHL season. They returned in the American Conference, North Division of the ECHL and continue to play their home games at U.S. Bank Arena, joining their two ECHL, Ohio rivals, Dayton Bombers and Toledo Storm.

On July 18, 2006, the Cyclones announced their affiliation with the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. The Cyclones won their first game back in the ECHL on October 20 against the Pensacola Ice Pilots at U.S. Bank Arena with a score of 3 to 1.

On May 23, 2007, the Cyclones announced they had re-signed head coach Chuck Weber to coach the team for the 2007–2008 season. Weber was also the runner-up for the ECHL's Coach of the Year award for 2006–2007.[1]

On August 2, 2007, the Cyclones announced an affiliation with the NHL's Nashville Predators and the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. This is in addition to the Montreal/Hamilton affiliation and is a one-year deal.

[edit] 2007-08 Campaign: The Kelly Cup Championship Season!

The Cyclones' 2007–2008 campaign started out as one of the most successful in franchise history. Through 50 games, the Cyclones were 31 games over .500. Attendance at games had increased nearly 40% over 2006–2007 and the club had already surpassed their win total from 2006–2007 (37). They achieved this mark in 24 fewer games. [2]

On February 22, 2008, the Cyclones defeated the Johnstown Chiefs 5–2 in Cincinnati. This win, the Cyclones' 14th consecutive, tied the ECHL record for a single-season winning streak.[3]

On February 23, 2008, Cyclones fans witnessed a double dose of history. In front of a crowd of 5,178, the Cyclones recorded a thrilling 5–4 shootout win over the Elmira Jackals. In the game, Center David Desharnais recorded two assists, extending his streak of games with at least one assist to 18. This broke the existing ECHL record of 17. In winning this game, the Cyclones recorded their 15th consecutive win, setting the ECHL record for a single-season winning streak.[4]

When the dust cleared on the 2007-08 regular season, the team secured 115 total points, which was the most in the league, earning them the Brabham Cup regular season championship. They also won the Northern Division and American Conference regular season titles. Individually, Chuck Weber was named ECHL coach of the year, earning him the John Brophy trophy. David Deshardains claimed three ECHL awards: Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and the Leading Scorer award with 29 goals and 77 assists for 106 points. In addition, Chad Starling won the award for the most plus/minus points (players get a +1 when they are on the ice when their team scores a goal, and a -1 when they are on the ice when the team gives up a goal).

The Cyclones defeated the Johnstown Chiefs in four straight and the Reading Royals in an epic seven game affair to claim the North Division playoff titie. Finally, on May 16, 2008, the Cyclones defeated the South Carolina Stingrays, 2-1 in overtime, to claim the American Conference Championship, and making it to a Cup final series for the first time in league history after going down in the conference finals three other times in two different leagues. With their victory, Cincinnati also claimed the E.A. “Bud” Gingher Memorial Trophy.

With a six game victory over the National Conference Champion Las Vegas Wranglers in the Kelly Cup Finals, the Cyclones clinched the first championship in team history. After splitting the first two games in Cincinnati (Cincinnati 4-3 and Las Vegas 1-0), the series shifted to Las Vegas, where Cincinnati won games three and five to take a 3-2 series lead.

In front of a record setting crowd, 12,722 fans, at US Bank Arena in Cincinnati on June 5, the Cyclones defeated Las Vegas in Game Six, 3-1, to take the championship. The clincher was the 71st win of the season, undoubtedly solidifying their place in hockey history. Goalie Cedrick Desjardins was named the Kelly Cup Playoff MVP.

[edit] Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, SOL = Shootout Losses, PTS = Points, PCT = Winning Percentage, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Records as of February 22, 2008.^[1][2][3]

[edit] Current roster

As of October 21, 2007. Numbers taken from The Cincinnati Cyclones website: [5]

Goaltenders
#		Player	Catches	Date of birth	Place of birth
30		Cedrick Desjardins	L	September 30, 1985	Edmundston, New Brunswick, CAN

Defencemen
#		Player	Shoots	Date of birth	Place of birth
2		Chad Starling	L	September 16, 1980	Delisle, Saskatchewan, CAN
3		Greg Gallagher	R	February 23, 1984	Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
5		Jon Gleed	L	January 3, 1984	Milton, Ontario, CAN
32		Sean Perkins	R	November 18, 1986	Commerce, Michigan, USA
42		Matt Macdonald	L	March 16, 1983	Niagara Falls, Ontario, CAN
44		Conrad Martin	R	October 25, 1982	Toronto, Ontario, CAN

Forwards
#		Player	Shoots	Date of birth	Place of birth
3		Billy Irish-Baker	R	February 16, 1983	Clarence, New York, USA
10		James Sixsmith	L	March 26, 1984	Alexandria, Virginia, USA
11		Barret Ehgoetz	L	April 16, 1981	Kincardine, Ontario, CAN
15		Avery Wilson	L	November 6, 1980	Marquette, Michigan, USA
19		Andrew R. Martin	L	January 18, 1983	Brampton, Ontario, CAN
5		Jon Gleed	L	January 3, 1984	Milton, Ontario, CAN
23		Matt Syroczynski	L	July 2, 1983	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
25		Travis Fuller	L	January 25, 1986	Whitney, Ontario, CAN
26		Jean-Michel Daoust	R	November 24, 1983	Valleyfield, Quebec, CAN
27		Scott Reynolds	R	March 17, 1981	Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, CAN
51		David Desharnais	L	September 14, 1986	Quebec City, Quebec, CAN
78		Mathieu Aubin	R	September 18, 1986	Sorel, Quebec, CAN
82		Thomas Beauregard	R	February 9, 1986	Montreal, Quebec, CAN
82		Jason Deitsch	R	April 21, 1980	Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

[edit] Team captains

• 2007–2008
  • • A - Chad Starling
    • A - Barret Ehgoetz*
    • A - Matt MacDonald*
    • * - Jean-Michel Daoust and Scott Reynolds also wore the A temporarily while Ehgoetz was injured and MacDonald was on recall to Rockford (AHL).

[edit] Hall of Famers

[edit] NHLers

[edit] Notable players

• 20 - Kevin Kerr: All-time leader in scoring for non-NHL players, played three seasons and 112 games with Cincinnati, tallying 145 points in regular season play and 19 points in 13 playoff games with the Cyclones.

[edit] Retired numbers

• 7* - Retired in honor of the fans. The fans, being the seventh player, were recognized by the team by the dedication of the number 7 to them.
• 22 - Don Biggs
• 13 - Paul Lawless on April 2, 2004.
• 14* - Retired in honor of Pete Rose, the Cincinnati Reds baseball player. Since he is banned by Major League Baseball, the Reds cannot retire his number. The Cyclones retired the number in his honor for this reason.
• 21 - Gilbert Dionne - Retired on December 2, 2006.

* - Denotes honorary number.

[edit] Miscellaneous

[edit] Team highs

• January 3, 1992 - Highest Goals For in a single Cyclones game; Roanoke Valley Rebels 2, Cyclones 13.

[edit] Infamous moments

• Cyclones coach Don Jackson punches the Atlanta mascot, thus drawing a suspension from the league.
• A large fight broke out at a home game against the Cleveland Lumberjacks during the 1998 IHL season. It happened with about two minutes left in the game, and even the team's goaltenders got involved in the fight. The whole thing took around twenty minutes to complete. It is often remembered and reminisced as an "infamous" incident among longtime fans, and heated the Ohio rivalry between Cincinnati and Cleveland in the International Hockey League.
• Jon Gleed scoring the 3rd goal in game 6 of the Kelly Cup against Las Vegas - the final goal in a championship season.

[edit] References

1. ^ Hockeydb.com, http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=106 Cincinnati Cyclones season statistics and records 1990–1992.]
2. ^ Hockeydb.com, http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=69 Cincinnati Cyclones season statistics and records 1992–2001.]
3. ^ Hockeydb.com, http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=2694 Cincinnati Cyclones season statistics and records 2001–2007.]

[edit] External links

• Cincinnati Cyclones' Official Web site
• Section 60: Cyclones Fan Web Site

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