For Immediate Release: August 15, 2018
VAIVE RETURNS TO CINCINNATI
Last Season’s Leading Goal Scorer Will Serve as Player-Assistant Coach
Cincinnati, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres and the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Rochester Americans, have announced veteran forward Justin Vaive has been re-signed to a Standard Player Contract (SPC) for the 2018-19 season and will serve as the team’s player-assistant coach.
“I’m extremely excited to return to Cincinnati for another season,” said Vaive. “The city has always been a second home to me, and there is nothing like playing in front of the best fans in the ECHL every night. In speaking with Matt [Thomas], I feel really good about the team he is building and the direction he wants to take this club, and I can’t wait to get started.”
A native of Buffalo, NY, Vaive is coming off a very successful 2017-18 campaign where led the ‘Clones in goals with 32 and was tied for fifth in points with 45. Vaive enjoyed 12 multipoint nights, including a pair of hat tricks along with a four-point performance (3g, 1a) in a 6-5 overtime win over the Quad City Mallards on January 21. Vaive’s best stretch offensively came between January 19 through March 2 where he accounted for 12 goals and four assists over a 16-game stretch. Additionally, Vaive enjoyed point streaks of four or more games on four separate occasions, including a season-long six-game point streak from December 13-December 27 (6g, 4a).
Vaive continued his offensive prowess in the playoffs for the Cyclones, accounting for a team-leading five goals, and ranked second with six points in Cincinnati’s 4 games to 1 series loss to the Ft. Wayne Komets.
“My main priority after starting here was to re-sign Justin,” remarked Cyclones head coach Matt Thomas. “He is a veteran player that can have a major impact on a game and will provide leadership and guidance to the younger players on our roster. As a player assistant, he will also have an opportunity to gain valuable experience on the coaching side of the business.”
Vaive has had three previous stints in Cincinnati back in 2011-12 and 2012-13, and his ECHL career has also seen a stop in Greenville with the Road Warriors during the 2013-14 season. In 108 career ECHL games, Vaive has accounted for 50 goals and 35 assists for 85 points, along with 202 minutes in penalties.
Drafted by Anaheim in the fourth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Vaive has spent the bulk of his pro career in the AHL, accounting for 67 points (31g, 36a) in 280 AHL games played between the Americans, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Hartford 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.
The 2018-19 season is on the horizon, and tickets for First Face-Off are on sale NOW! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding information on season and group ticket packages for this upcoming season, and you can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
