Cincinnati, Ohio - Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach Matt Macdonald has announced that forward Shawn O'Donnell and defenseman Troy Vance have signed contracts with the club for the 2016-17 season. O'Donnell is coming off of a successful season with the American Hockey League's Hartford Wolf Pack, while Vance returns to the United States after a solid campaign in Europe.
The Cyclones are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators and the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals.
O'Donnell has spent the bulk of his career in the AHL, appearing in 128 games with the Wolf Pack and totaling 18 points (7g-11a). He has also seen some time in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades and Greenville Road Warriors, accounting for 12 points (4g-8a) in 17 career games.
Prior to turning pro late in the 2012-13 season, O'Donnell spent four years at St. Mary's University in Canada. He was responsible for 62 points (24g-38a) in 103 career games, including a career-high 26 points (14g-12a) during his senior season in 2012-13. He served as the team's alternate captain during his senior season as well.
Vance heads to Cincinnati after posting 19 points (3g-16a) in 59 games with Assat Pori of the Finnish Elite League. He ranked second on the team in defenseman scoring, and fourth overall in assists.
Prior to his time in Europe, the 2011 fifth-round draft pick of the Dallas Stars spent parts of two seasons in the ECHL with the Elmira Jackals, Idaho Steelheads and Missouri Mavericks, accounting for 13 points (4g-9a) in 65 games.
Vance played his junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, splitting his time between the Victoriaville Tigres, Prince Edward Island Rocket and Charlottetown Islanders. He racked up 84 points (17g-67a) in 206 QMJHL games, along with 171 penalty minutes.