A longtime Cincinnati Cyclone is coming back.
The Cyclones announced that Louie Caporusso has been named the team's next assistant coach. Caporusso joins Riley Weselowski’s coaching staff after 13 seasons of professional hockey across North America and Europe.
Caporusso is a veteran with over 500 professional games across six professional leagues. The hiring marks Caporusso’s official retirement from professional hockey and his first coaching position.
“It’s an honor to accept my role as Assistant Coach with the Cincinnati Cyclones,” Caporusso stated. “This city and team have grown dear to our family. I’m grateful to Coach Weselowski and the front office for the opportunity and I look forward to the season.”
As a player, Caporusso was a four-year member of the University of Michigan, where he was an assistant captain in his senior season.
Drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the third round (90th overall) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Caporusso started his professional career with the Binghamton Senators (AHL). He played for eight more teams before finishing his career with the Cincinnati Cyclones.
In four seasons with Cincinnati, the Toronto, Ontario native recorded 55 goals and 111 assists (166 points) in 171 regular-season games played.
“Adding the right people to our hockey operations staff was a top priority for me when I accepted the job in Cincinnati,” Weselowski noted. “I was looking for an assistant coach who was young and hungry. A coach with morals and ethics aligned with mine, but whose perspective of the game was different.
“Louie was an elite offensive player throughout his career and throughout the interview process, it was evident that he has a great mind for the game. Above all else, Louie is a great person and father and he will be an incredible asset for the Cyclones organization and an excellent resource for our young players breaking into professional hockey.”
Caporusso left his mark on the Cyclones during his playing days. His 166 points rank 7th all-time in franchise history. In addition, his 111 assists are fifth-most in Cyclones history, sitting behind former teammates Justin Vaive and Jesse Schultz.