Hockey is returning to Cincinnati this fall, and it isn’t in the form of the Railraiders. The Cincinnati Cyclones are returning to Cincinnati this year, rejoining the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League). The team announced on April 20 that the team would resume operations and prepare to start the season in October. Thanks to the lack of support for the Railraiders franchise, the Cyclones ownership (which had held on to the name and franchise rights) had an opening to bring the ‘Clones back.
The Cyclones suspended operations in the fall of 2004 after competing in Cincinnati since 1990. The Cyclones competed in the ECHL from 1990-1992, when they joined the now defunct IHL (International Hockey League). The Cyclones were the winningest team in the IHL from 1992 until 2001, when the league folded.
In 2001 the Cyclones re-joined the ECHL and made the Kelley cup playoffs twice, once reaching a Game Seven loss to Atlantic City in the Northern Division championship.
It seemed that the Cyclones’ chief rival through out the 90s would win the “hockey wars” when the Cyclones folded and the now defunct Cincinnati Mighty Ducks were the only team in town. The Ducks floundered in the Cyclones’ absence and have since moved to Maine.
It’s not final yet on whether the ‘Clones will play their home games at U.S Bank Arena or their old home ice, The Cincinnati Gardens.
Talk is already starting to abound that if the Cyclones can draw a good attendance this year, an AHL (American Hockey League, one step down from the NHL) franchise will be awarded to the Cyclones.
The AHL tried to award a franchise to the failed Railraider team but the Raiders were unable to garner the 2,000 season ticket deposits needed. That shouldn’t be a problem for the still solid base of diehard Cyclone fans in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati may not be a large market hockey town, but this city has proven it can sustain one AHL level hockey team (but definitely not two).
It’s a great thing for Cincinnati to have another storied franchise back. Of the various major and minor league professional teams in Cincinnati (of any sport), only the Bengals and Reds are older than the Cyclones.
Further information about ticket sales, venue, and general information on the Cyclones can be found at cycloneshockey.com or by calling the Cyclones at 513-421-PUCK.