Cyclones add McLeod, Tackett

Cincinnati, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones have signed forwards Matt McLeod and Jason Tackett to contracts ahead of the 2021-22 ECHL season. Both players had previously signed with the team prior to the Cyclones sitting out the 2020-21 season.

McLeod did not play last season, while Tackett, a West Chester, Ohio native, skated with the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League.McLeod, 24, last played during the 2019-20 season with the Brampton Beast where he notched eight points (4g-4a) during his first pro season. Prior to Brampton, McLeod spent four years at Canisius College where he earned AHCA All-American Scholar Honors in each of his last three years, while also being named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team all four years of his college tenure. He tallied 25 points over 124 games.Matt is one of three McLeod brothers currently playing professional hockey. His brother Michael was a 2016 first round draft pick of the New Jersey Devils, while his brother Ryan was a second round selection of the Edmonton Oilers in 2018.Joining McLeod will be local resident, Jason Tackett. The 25-year-old grew up just 30 minutes from Heritage Bank Center, attending numerous Cyclones games as a child. Tackett spent the 2020-21 season in Macon, generating 36 points (12g-24a) in 26 games, helping his team earn a spot in the league’s championship round. Prior to turning pro, Tackett enjoyed a four year playing career at Ferris State University from 2016-20, amassing 45 points in 114 games. His youth hockey days further tie him to the area, playing two seasons for the Ohio Blue Jackets 18U AAA team.