The New York Rangers have a new ECHL affiliate with Cincinnati Cyclones
By Marvin Azrak
The New York Rangers have announced that they have agreed with the Cincinnati Cyclones to be their development affiliate, joining the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. The Cyclones were affiliated with the Buffalo Sabres of the ECHL for the past six seasons, while the Rochester Americans served as their AHL affiliate. The Cyclones were affiliated with the Buffalo Sabres of the ECHL for the past six seasons, while the Rochester Americans served as their AHL affiliate.
The Rangers were affiliated with the ECHL’s Jacksonville IceMen since 2021.
The Cincinnati Cyclones are a well-established team with a rich history of success, having won two Kelly Cup Championships, three E.A. “Bud” Gingher Memorial Trophies, and two Brabham Cups. Cyclones Team President Ray Harris is thrilled to partner with the Rangers and is confident that the affiliation will help bring a championship back to Cincinnati.
The Cyclones have produced several notable alumni, including Cédrick Desjardins, Greg Stewart, David Desharnais, and Byron Froese, who have all played in the AHL and NHL. Since the 2006-07 season, Cincinnati has seen 28 of its players go on to play in the NHL, and dozens more get called up to the American Hockey League (AHL).
Cincinnati’s new AHL affiliate will be the Hartford Wolf Pack, who have been affiliated with the Rangers for the past 10 seasons. In 2022-23, the Cyclones went 47-16-9 for 103 points in the regular season. They defeated the Fort Wayne Komets(Oilers affiliate) in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs but fell to the Toledo Wayllle(Red Wings affiliate) in the conference semifinals.
Cyclones head coach and director of hockey operations Jason Payne expressed his excitement about joining forces with the Rangers in the team’s statement.
"I couldn’t be more excited to say the Cyclones are the ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers, an original six franchise,” said Cyclones Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jason Payne. “It doesn’t get much better than New York. We are proud to partner with such a prestigious organization. Their logo and ours will be on full display in the room to represent family and a commitment to culture. We’re here to develop the next AHL and NHL players, and one of the first things our team will see when they enter the doors is the Wolf Pack and Rangers logos. That’s what it’s all about. Working hard every day to earn your opportunity at the next level. The Rangers have a storied history, and we as an organization look forward to working with them to create more history.”"
“The New York Rangers are excited to have reached an affiliate agreement with the Cincinnati Cyclones,” said Blueshirts GM Chris Drury. “The organization constantly looks at the best ways to develop our prospects and we look forward to Cincinnati, as well as the continued support of the Hartford Wolf Pack, being a huge part of that process.”