CINCINNATI , Ohio – The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that they have named 29-year-old Matt MacDonald as the Assistant Coach for the 2012-13 season, replacing Andrew Cassels.
MacDonald, a native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, will embark on his first year in coaching after completing a seven-year playing career. He spent parts of three seasons with the Cyclones, logging 119 regular season games and 44 points (5 goals, 39 assists). MacDonald also contributed with 14 tallies (5 goals, 9 assists) in 44 Kelly Cup Playoff games and was a member of Cincinnati’s first-ever Kelly Cup title in 2008.
“I think Matt is going to bring a lot to our hockey club, especially to the back-end,” said Cyclones Head Coach Jarrod Skalde. “With Matt’s character and work ethic along with the successful career he has had will bring a lot to our young defensemen.”
In addition to his ECHL experience, MacDonald also saw time in the American Hockey League, Central Hockey League, and in Denmark. Collectively, he skated in 385 games as a professional and collected 133 points (30 goals, 103 assists) with 732 career penalty minutes. While playing in Denmark during the 2010-11 campaign, he helped his team capture a Bronze Medal and was a Danish Cup Champion. Prior to going pro, MacDonald was a four-year letter winner at St. Lawrence University, where he amassed 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) and 131 penalty minutes in 118 career collegiate games.
“After playing here for three years and being successful, there’s no other place I’d rather start the next chapter of my career,” said MacDonald. “I’m very excited to work with Jarrod and help bring a championship back to Cincinnati.”
MacDonald and his wife, Erin, reside in Cincinnati.
