The Cincinnati Cyclones will begin their 2024-2025 season on the road on Saturday, October 19th in Western Michigan against the Kalamazoo Wings at 7:00 PM EST, a Central Division opponent. Earlier this week, the Cyclones took a trip to Wheeling, West Virginia to face their ex-Central Division opponent Wheeling Nailers in their only pre-season game. The Cyclones won at a final score of 5-4 in a shootout, with Lincoln Griffin earning three assists and Tristan Ashbrook finishing with two assists and one goal.
The Cyclones’ season-opening roster is set and includes many AHL and a few former NHL players who were sent down by the Toronto Marlies; Marko Sikic, Mathieu Gosselin, Ty Voit, Jacob Frasca, Nikolai Knyzhov, Ryan McCleary, Rhett Parsons, Chas Sharpe. I am interested to see where the new additions from Toronto will fit into the lineup, and who will build chemistry together as the season moves along. To begin the season, I anticipate the top D-pair to be Nikolai Knyzhov, who’s seen NHL experience with the San Jose Sharks, paired with Ryan McCleary. Also, it is quite possible to see other players who were sent down fit into the top 6 forward groups, such as Marko Sikic, Mathieu Gosselin, Ty Voit, and Jacob Frasca.
Jon Gillies will likely earn the start between the pipes since Pavel Cajan was recalled to the AHL Cleveland Monsters on Thursday. He is a seasoned veteran goaltender, spending time with the Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, and New Jersey Devils, along with their AHL affiliates. Having a big presence in net can get this team on the right track beginning the season on the road against Kalamazoo, and next Friday in Fort Wayne.
Season-Opening Roster:
Forwards:
Justin Vaive, Remy Parker, Kyle Bollers, Lincoln Griffin, Dante Sheriff, Patrick Bajkov, Tristan Ashbrook, Matt Boudens, Marko Sikic, Mathieu Gosselin, Ty Voit, Jacob Frasca
Defensemen:
Landon Cato, Josh Burnside, Matt Murphy, Nikolai Knyzhov, Ryan McCleary, Rhett Parsons, Chas Sharpe
Goalies:
Jon Gillies
Reserve:
Nick Isaacson, F; Keeghan Howdeshell, F
3-Day IR:
Steven MacLean, D
14-Day IR:
Louie Caporusso, F
Potential Lineup:
Vaive – Boudens – Ashbrook
Griffin – Sherrif – Voit
Frasca – Sikic – Gosselin
Bajkov – Parker – Bollers
Knyzhov – McCleary
Parsons – Sharpe
Burnside – Murphy
Gillies
TBD
Where to Listen:
Kalamazoo Audio: Player | WKZO
Cincinnati Audio: Cincinnati Cyclones
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