Cyclones bring back Vilio

CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones, ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced that the team has re-signed defenseman Elijah Vilio for the 2025-26 season.

Vilio, 28, will rejoin the Cyclones after being acquired via trade from the Tahoe Knight Monsters on Dec. 17, 2024. During the 2024-25 season, he recorded a career-best 20 assists between his time in Tahoe and Cincinnati. Upon his arrival to Cincinnati, Vilio recorded 16 of his 20 assists with the Cyclones and logged two goals.

Originally from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Vilio will embark in his fifth professional season in 2025-26. Upon his arrival to Cincinnati, Vilio had made prior stops with the Atlanta Gladiators, Rapid City Rush, Norfolk Admirals, Savannah Ghost Pirates and Tahoe Knight Monsters. Vilio spent his college days playing with Trinity Western University between their stints in the BCIHL and USports from 2017-2021.

Vilio made his professional debut with the Atlanta Gladiators in the 2021-22 season and had a career-high 23 points in 50 games.