I caught up with Coach Thomas following last Saturday’s 4-1 pre-season home win over the Indy Fuel. In the midst of making decisions on whom to keep going into the upcoming season, the core leaders from last year’s team remain in Justin Vaive and Jesse Schultz.
Vaive is a constant thorn in opposing squads’ defensemen and netminders, as his constant presence in the opposition’s crease leads to good things happening for the Cyclones.
Jesse Schultz, seen in action against the Kansas City Mavericks last season, is one of several returning scorers for the Cincinnati Cyclones. He led the team in 2018-19 with 80 points / Photo by Rob Huelsman (PHN)
Other veteran forwards returning in a Cincy sweater are Pascal Aquin, Shaw Boomhower, Nate Mitton and Brady Vail. Offensive firepower should not be a problem for this group.
Defensively, the returnees make up a solid group. Andrew DeBrincat, Tobie Bisson, Devante Stephens and Kurt Gosselin are versed in the 2018-19 campaign’s schemes to thwart the offenses pitted against them.
Netminders Michael Houser and Sean Romeo anchor the back end as the season begins. Houser is the Cyclones’ all-time leader in wins, an honor that he attained mid-way through last season.
With 51 wins and 110 points, the Cyclones claimed the Brabham Cup as the ECHL’s regular season champions in 2018-19 / Photo by Rob Huelsman (PHN)
In last Saturday’s pre-season game, the Cyclones showed no signs of letting up after the disappointing series loss to Toledo in the second round of the 2018-19 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Cyclones scored at even strength, on the power play, and with an empty net tally, as well as a short-handed penalty shot by Boomhower. Defense kept the Fuel stymied and frustrated, as they were only able to put one goal behind Houser.
The Cyclones begin the 2019-20 campaign against long-time foe Wheeling on Saturday, October 12 at 7:30 pm in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Contact the writer/photographer: Rob.Huelsman@prohockeynews.com
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