CINCINNATI ADDS WINGER, SIGN 2024 MAPLE LEAFS DRAFT PICK SAM McCUE
CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, today announced that forward Sam McCue has signed with the team ahead of the 2026-27 season. With his signing, McCue will play in his first full professional season with the Cyclones.
McCue, 20, was selected as the 216th pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Sudbury, Ontario native has spent the last four seasons in the OHL with Peterborough Petes, Owen Sound Attack, Flint Firebirds, Brantford Bulldogs, and the Ottawa 67’s. In his final junior campaign, he most appeared with the Ottawa 67’s and he totaled seven goals and eight assists (15 points) in 28 regular season games. He netted two goals in nine playoff games last season with Ottawa to conclude his junior career.
“Sam has a real scoring touch and is very good around the net. He competes for space, gets to the hard areas and has a knack for finding loose pucks and finishing from in tight. He has continued to produce more offense as he has developed, and his previous coaches consistently spoke about his compete level,” said Cyclones Head Coach Riley Weselowski. “His willingness to do the hard work and the positive impact he had on their teams. Being drafted by Toronto and attending three consecutive Maple Leafs development camps has given Sam a great opportunity to learn what professional habits and expectations look like.”
“He has received a clear directive on what it will take for him to become a successful professional. Now it’s about putting in the work every day and committing to his development. This is a difficult league for young players, but Sam understands that nothing will be handed to him and seems ready to do what is necessary to be successful.” he added. “Sam joins Joe Miller and Matt Hellickson as the third player with ties to the Maple Leafs organization that we have signed to a Cyclones contract. All three have familiarity with Toronto’s standards and development system, and we believe that experience will be valuable as they continue building their careers in Cincinnati.”
In the OHL, he spent four seasons playing with five different teams. McCue spent one and a half seasons with the Peterborough Petes before playing for the Owen Sound Attack to close out the 2023-24 season. He also appeared in games with the Flint Firebirds, Brantford Bulldogs, and Ottawa 67s in his last two seasons in the OHL. Over his four year junior career, he recorded 76 goals and 49 assists (125 points) over the span of 209 career games.
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