The Cincinnati Cyclones have received defensemen Nick Boka and Matthew Cairns from the Rochester Americans; Cincinnati's AHL affiliate. The pair will join the Cyclones during training camp this week.
Additionally, the 'Clones also received forward Graham Knott, who was returned to the team from Rochester after joining the Americans on a tryout. Knott previously signed a Standard Player Contract with Cincinnati earlier in the offseason. The Cyclones have also signed goaltender Brendan Bonello to an Amateur Tryout (ATO).
Nick Boka
Position: Defenseman
Drafted: 2015 | round 6 (171st overall) | Minnesota Wild
Age: 24 (9/8/1997)
Born: Plymouth, MI
HT: 6’1” | WT: 209 lbs
Shoots: Right
- Third-year pro. Spent most of 2020-21 season with Fort Wayne, where he was named the team's Defenseman of the Year. Scored four goals and 18 points in 44 regular season games.
- Won Kelly Cup with Komets after returning from AHL-Ontario where he made his AHL debut in the playoffs with Los Angeles Kings' affiliate.
- Spent previous season with ECHL-Allen. Collected nine points in 29 games during 2019-20 season.
- Four year collegiate tenure at University of Michigan. Biopsyschology, Cognition and Neuroscience major. Was Co-Captain during his senior year.
- Won a B1G title his freshman year.
Matthew Cairns
Position: Defenseman
Drafted: 2016 | round 3 (84th overall) | Edmonton Oilers
Age: 23 (4/27/1998)
Born: Mississauga, ON
HT: 6’2” | WT: 203 lbs
Shoots: Left
- Rookie. Spent last season playing Division One hockey for University of Minnesota-Duluth.
- Spent the previous three seasons with Division One Cornell University. Won a Regular Season Title in 2017-18 and again in 2019-20.
- 2015-16 First Team All-Prospect in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). Also received Top Prospect Award after finishing season with OJHL-Georgetown.
The 2021-2022 season will kick off at Heritage Bank Center on Saturday, October 30. Stay tuned all off-season for updates on important events, player signings, promotion and ticketing information and MORE! Call (513) 421-PUCK for tickets and more information, and stay on top of all the latest team updates and information on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
