For Immediate Release: October 5, 2017
VAIVE RETURNS TO CINCINNATI
Cyclones Also Add Pigozzi Prior to Preseason Opener
Cincinnati, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud ECHL affiliate of the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Rochester Americans and the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres, have announced that forward Justin Vaive has been signed to a Standard Player Contract (SPC) for the 2017-18 season.
Vaive has had three previous stints in Cincinnati back in 2011-12 and 2012-13, and he appeared in one game with the Cyclones last season. In 60 career ECHL games with the Cyclones and Greenville Road Warriors, Vaive accounted for 18 goals and 22 assists for 40 points, along with 95 minutes in penalties.
Drafted by Anaheim in the fourth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Vaive appeared in 66 games for the Americans in 2016-17, totaling three goals and six assists in addition to 90 minutes in penalties. He enjoyed a successful 2016-16 campaign with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, accounting for 11 goals and 17 assists along with 79 penalty minutes in 63 games played.
His most productive season in terms of points came in 2014-15 with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. In 62 games that season, the Buffalo, NY, native racked up 32 points (14g, 18a) and 94 penalty minutes. Overall, Vaive has accounted for 58 points (28g, 30a) in 208 AHL games played between the Sound Tigers, Wolf Pack, and San Antonio Rampage.
Prior to turning pro in 2011-12, Vaive was a four-year letter winner with the Miami University RedHawks from 2007-11. He helped lead the RedHawks to a Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Regular Season Championship in 2010, and a CCHA Playoff Championship in 2011. In 160 career games with Miami, Vaive accounted for 23 goals and 23 assists, along with 208 penalty minutes.
In a separate transaction, the Cyclones have also added forward Ray Pigozzi on a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO). A native of Evanston, IL, Pigozzi is coming off of a successful collegiate career at the University of Massachusetts- Amherst, where he totaled 82 points (25g, 57a) in 124 games at the school. He played junior hockey for the Des Moines Buccaneers and Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he accounted for 20 goals and 56 assists in 124 games.
The march towards 2017 First Face-Off is ON! The Cincinnati Cyclones return to U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday, October 14, when they take on the Kalamazoo Wings. In the meantime, we invite you to stay tuned in the coming weeks for information on tickets and promotions for the 2017-18 season, great offseason events like Concrete Clones, player signings, and MORE! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding Cyclones Season and Group Tickets, and you can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
