Cyclones will serve as primary affiliate for the Marlies beginning in the 2024-25 season
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced they have signed an affiliation agreement with the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones that begins next season.
The Cyclones will become the primary affiliate for the AHL's Toronto Marlies and secondary affiliate of the Maple Leafs.
The Newfoundland Growlers were Toronto's ECHL affiliate from 2018 until 2024, when the franchise suddenly ceased operations just before the end of the season.
The Cyclones began ECHL operations in 1990, there have been two Cyclones franchises in the ECHL and one in the IHL. This iteration of the franchise began as the Louisville RiverFrogs in 1995. The franchise won the Kelly Cup in 2008 and 2010.
Cincinnati is significantly closer to Toronto and will allow for easier travel for players, staff, and fans.
This is the sixth city the Maple Leafs have had ECHL affiliations with, joining Newfoundland, Orlando, Reading, Pensacola, and Columbia. Cincinnati spent last season as the affiliate of the New York Rangers.
The Leafs have a history with Cincinnati, as the Central Hockey League's Tigers were owned by and affiliated with the Leafs for one season in 1981-82.
The Cyclones play out of Heritage Bank Center in downtown Cincinnati.
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