The Cincinnati Cyclones announced today that the team has signed six players to Amateur Tryout (ATO) Contracts ahead of training camp for the 2022-23 season. Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jason Payne has inked two players at each position (forward, defense, goaltending). The following players have been signed to ATO's:
Forwards: Maurizio Colella, Peyton Francis
Defensemen: Sam Hunter, Kyler Matthews
Goaltenders: Trevin Kozlowski, Mark Sinclair
Colella, 25, split time last season with both Newfoundland and South Carolina, where he combined for a goal and an assist over 13 games. He debuted in the ECHL back in 2017-18 with Worcester, but put pro hockey on hold to pursue an education and play collegiately at Acadia University (USports) from 2018-2021.
Francis, 23, spent his first professional season overseas in Sweden, playing for Fagersta AIK in Division Two. The Oakville, Ontario native registered five goals and 16 points through 17 games. He spent the two prior seasons in the states playing for the University of Alabama-Huntsville.
Hunter, 25, returns to Cincinnati looking to make the team off an ATO just as he did a season ago. The Toronto, Ontario native was signed out of training camp and made his pro debut October 23, 2021 for the 'Clones. He played in 17 games before being sent to SPHL-Pensacola to finish off his rookie season. Hunter also carries two years of collegiate experience at Queen's University (USports).
Matthews, 24, has played parts of the last three seasons in single-A pro hockey, skating most recently for Knoxville in the SPHL. During the 2021-22 season, Matthews notched four goals and 12 points in 56 games. He also led the team in penalty minutes with 97, and added 15 PIM in three playoff games.
Kozlowski, 25, saw time in both the ECHL and AHL last season, getting to play for both the Iowa Heartlanders and Iowa Wild. The Valencia, California native saw the Cyclones numerous times throughout last season and appeared in 23 games for the Heartlanders overall, going 9-11-2 with a 3.51 goals against average and a .899 save percentage. Kozlowski is an Army-West Point graduate and the second player in program history to be allowed to delay their active service to pursue a career in professional sports.
Sinclair, 26, Had a chance to join the Cyclones for the backend of last season, starting two games in April, combining to make 57 saves. Before then, the Hamilton, Ontario goaltender played five NCAA seasons between the University of Alabama-Huntsville and Michigan Tech from 2017-22. He recorded five shutouts across 75 games.
In other news, defenseman Wyatt Ege, who originally re-signed with the Cyclones earlier this offseason, has elected to part ways with the team and will now be playing overseas. Ege scored seven goals and 28 points in 63 games on the blue line with Cincinnati last season.
