Why the Maple Leafs are Changing Their ECHL Affiliation to the Cincinnati Cyclones
The Cyclones will replace the Newfoundland Growlers who seized operations in April as the Maple Leafs’ secondary affiliate starting in the 2024-25 season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that the team will affiliate with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL starting in the 2024-25 season, in a post shared to ‘X’ Wednesday.
The Cyclones will replace the Newfoundland Growlers as the Maple Leafs' secondary affiliate and the primary affiliate of the AHL's Toronto Marlies, as stated in an official article posted on the Maple Leafs’ site on NHL.com. The Growlers had served as the Maple Leafs' ECHL affiliate from 2018 to 2024 before ceasing operations in April before the end of the 2023-24 season.
Deacon Sports and Entertainment, the owner of the Growlers, had a lengthy behind-the-scenes battle over payments, which led to the organization being disbanded by the ECHL.
Now, the page has been turned to a new beginning in Cincinnati. "We are excited to embark on this new partnership with the Cincinnati Cyclones," stated Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving. "This is a significant investment for our hockey club as we look to provide our players with the best resources available to support their growth and professional development."
General manager Kristin Ropp of the Cyclones added, “We are thrilled to be associated with an organization with such a storied history as the Toronto Maple Leafs. To partner with an organization that places value in the development of players from the ECHL through the AHL and into the NHL is truly exciting.”
As for the Cyclones organization itself, the organization was originally established in 1990. The team competes in the Central Division of the ECHL’s Western Conference playing in Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cyclones have won the Kelly Cup twice, the trophy presented annually to the playoff champion of the ECHL, in the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 seasons.
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