ECHL: Cincinnati Cyclones Signs Malcolm Hayes

The Cincinnati Cyclones announced earlier today that the team has signed defenseman Malcolm Hayes for the 2023-24 season. 

Malcolm Hayes, 28, began his ECHL career with Kansas City during the 2019-20 season but has spent most of his career with his hometown team in Atlanta, where he posted four assists and 80 penalty minutes across two seasons and 73 games. Outside the ECHL, Hayes has played for three SPHL teams, accumulating a goal and five points in 37 contests.

“I’m ready to jump into this next opportunity that’s been afforded to me in hockey,” said Hayes. “I know opportunity isn’t just given; it’s earned and has to be worked for. I’m thankful to Jason Payne and excited to come to Cincinnati. Getting to play for a team that has a winning reputation is important to me, and I can’t wait to get started.”

“Malcolm approached me a couple seasons back when we were playing against Atlanta,” said Payne. “He immediately struck me as a person of high character, and in our dressing room, the player and the person aren’t mutually exclusive. We try to get the person right first, and Malcolm embodies the qualities we look for in a player. I’m excited to see him in a Cincinnati Cyclones jersey next month.”

Malcolm Hayes began his NCAA hockey career with the University of Maine from 2014 to 2018 before transferring to the University of Alaska Anchorage for the 2018-19 season.

During his career with the University of Maine, he played in 54 games, scoring 4 goals and 3 assists for a total of 7 points. In his one season with the University of Alaska Anchorage, he played in 34 games, scoring 0 goals and 2 assists for a total of 2 points.

After playing collegiate hockey, he played in the SPHL with the Fayetteville Markman (2019-2020), Birmingham Bulls (2020-2021), and Macon Mayhem (2022-2023). He played in 37 games in SPHL and scored 1 goal and 4 assists for a total of 5 points.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

John Cadwallader

Hello my name is John Cadwallader. I write articles on the Cincinnati Cyclones Hockey Team for the Inside The Rink. I have been a Cincinnati Cyclones fan since the early 1990’s.

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Wichita Thunder Announce Re-Signing of Three Forwards

The Wichita Thunder have announced that they have re-signed forwards Peter Bates, Jay Dickman, and Michal Stinil. Peter Bates’ Junior and Collegiate Career The 6’1″ forward from Evanston, Illinois, started his junior career in the NAHL, where he spent three seasons. During that time, Bates played with the Johnstown Tomahawks, Michigan Warriors, Lone Star Brahmas, […]

Read More

ECHL: Derek Army Leaves Wheeling Nailers For AHL Gig

It was a busy day for coaches in the ECHL, as Terrence Wallin would leave the Maine Mariners to join the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and later in the day, Derek Army would leave the Wheeling Nailers to join the Colorado Eagles. Army, 34, spent led the Nailers to a 43-25-4 mark during the 2024-25 season, […]

Read More

ECHL: Utah Grizzlies Sign Pair of Defensemen

The Utah Grizzlies have announced that they have signed 5’11” defenseman Avery Winslow and 6’2″ defenseman Colby Enns for the 2025-26 season. Avery Winslow’s Junior Career The St. Pete Beach, Florida native started his junior career in the BCHL in the 2018-19 season playing for the Wenatchee Wild. In his one season with the Wild, […]

Read More