CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHL's Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today several roster additions. The Panthers have reassigned forward Andrew Yogan to the club from the San Antonio Rampage while the Nashville Predators have reassigned forward Josh Shalla and defensemen Jaynen Rissling and Mikko Vainonen to the club from the Milwauke Admirals.
Yogan, a 22-year-old forward, joined the Florida Panthers organization after being dealt by the New York Rangers earlier this month. As a member of the Panthers farm system, he’s been reassigned to Cincinnati - a team he faced last year as a member of the Greenville Road Warriors. While in Greenville, Yogan proved to be one of the team’s best postseason weapons; in 17 playoff tilts, the former 4th Round Draft Pick notched 18 points (7g, 11a) and a +18 rating. He’s spent the bulk of his career at the AHL level, though. A year ago, he posted 10 points (5g, 5a) in 40 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Since going pro in 2011, he has skated in 90 games in the AHL. Prior to going pro, Yogan skated in 240 OHL games with Windsor, Erie, and Peterborough, amassing 187 points (96g, 91a) in 240 amateur games.
Shalla, Nashville’s Fourth Round pick in 2011, has been a stable offensive hand for the Cyclones over the past three seasons. A year ago, he finished with nearly a point per game with Cincinnati, posting 30 points (14g, 16a) in 29 games. He also logged 17 tallies (11g, 6a) in 23 Kelly Cup Playoff games (third-most on the team), including a pair of game-winning goals. On May 19, 2014, he became just the fourth Cyclone in club history to net a playoff hat trick as he posted three goals and an assist against Greenville during the Eastern Conference Finals.
Rissling, a Washington Capitals 7th Round draft pick in 2012, looks to make a strong professional debut in Cincinnati. He completed a five-year career in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen, where he compiled 117 points (23g, 94a) and 465 penalty minutes in 273 games. A team captain last season, the 21-year-old led the Hitmen in penalty minutes each of his final three campaigns. Rissling comes from a hockey-rich background; his father, Kelly, played in the IHL with Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo; his uncle, Gary, was a long-time pro during the 1980’s - seeing NHL action with the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Vainonen (VIGH-noh-nehn), a 20-year-old Helsinki, Finland native embarks on his first full pro season after completing an amateur career in the OHL. He made his pro debut late last season with the Milwaukee Admirals, skating in two games without a point. A 2012 fourth-round draft choice of the Nashville Predators, Vainonen spent the last two seasons with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL), amassing 40 points (8g, 32a) and 115 penalty minutes in 112 games.
The Cyclones open the regular season on the road as they visit the Toledo Walleye on Saturday, October 18 at 7:15pm ET.
The countdown to the 2014-15 First Face-Off is nearly complete! The Cyclones will return for another season of hockey at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday, October 25 when they play host to the Kalamazoo Wings at 7:30pm. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the season on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).
Cyclones Receive AHL Reinforcements
