For this first time this offseason, the Cyclones have signed a new face, bringing forward Jake Bricknell to the team for the 2023-24 season. Bricknell is the first contracted player who did not play for Cincinnati last season and the seventh player signed by Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, Jason Payne.
"This is the right opportunity for me to come back to the ECHL," said Bricknell. "I've talked with Coach Payne and I think I can be an impact player right away for the Cyclones. I've heard nothing but great things about the team, its culture, the city, and the fanbase. I'm excited and ready to put that jersey over my head and be a Cyclone."
Bricknell is set to start his third year in professional hockey. The 26-year-old out of Port Perry, Ontario spent the bulk of his rookie season in ECHL-Maine after being traded there from Kansas City following eight games with the Mavericks. He went on to play 31 for the Mariners and ended his ECHL season with three goals and six assists. Bricknell then headed overseas where he spent the 2022-23 campaign with the Manchester Storm of the EIHL, tallying six goals and 17 points over 44 games. The 6'1" power forward finished third on the team in penalty minutes with 71.
"Jake will bring some grit to our team," said Payne. "I like his ability to battle and compete for pucks. He can be a physical player and set the tone in a game, but he can also contribute offensively. He's shown that at the junior and collegiate level, so we're hoping to see that skillset come to Cincinnati."
Bricknell has one familiar teammate with the 'Clones in the form of Steven MacLean. The two were teammates in the OJHL with Aurora when Bricknell had the best season of his hockey career, scoring 35 goals as part of a 99-point outing in the 2017-18 season. He is also the second ECHL player to bear the last name, as his uncle, Corey Bricknell, played parts of six seasons in minor league hockey (1995-2000), including three in the ECHL from 1994-97 playing for the Huntington Blizzard and Columbus Chill.
