Earlier this evening, it was announced that Cincinnati Cyclones netminder Jon Gillies was traded to the Orlando Solar Bears in exchange for future considerations. Gillies was signed by the Cyclones on October 10, after being released from the Toronto Marlies during the pre-season. The former NHL player appeared in 12 games for Cincinnati this season, finishing with a record of 3-7-2, along with a save percentage of 0.868 and an average of 3.76 goals against per game.
He mostly served as the backup goaltender while Vyacheslav Peksa and Pavel Cajan bounced between the AHL and the Cyclones throughout the season. Gillies was a crucial player when Cajan missed three weeks due to a concussion not long ago. Despite his struggles, he was still an important piece in getting this team back in the playoff race.
Throughout his 10-year career so far, Gillies has played in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL, spending time with the Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, and New Jersey Devils, along with their AHL affiliates. Despite his struggles in the NHL, where he allowed an average of 3.50 goals per game over 35 starts with a save percentage of .891 and a record of 8-15-2, few in the hockey world can claim to have played at that level.
Although the 31-year-old netminder did not have the best statistics with the Cyclones this season, he kept the team in many games, giving them a chance to win in the final moments. Now, he will continue his professional career with a strong Solar Bears team that currently sits fourth in the South Division, boasting a record of 29-19-10—13 points ahead of the Atlanta Gladiators for the final playoff spot in the South.
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