Cyclones bring back Smolinski

CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Toronto Maple Leafs, announced that defenseman Max Smolinski has re-signed for the 2026-27 season. With his signing, Smolinski is set to play in his first full season as a professional with the Cyclones after a stint late last season.

Smolinski, 23, re-joins the Cyclones after starting his professional career in Cincinnati at the tail end of the 2025-26 campaign. In his first spell as a Cyclone, Smolinski appeared in 17 games, recording five points (2g-3a). His addition to the Cyclones came after the end of his graduate season with St. Cloud State University, where he logged 18 points (6g-12a), the most by a defenseman on the team last season.

Smolinski spent three seasons at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and played in every game throughout his tenure with the Engineers. He also served as an alternatee captain in 2024-25. At the junior level, Smolinski had his most productive junior season in 2021-22 with Fargo of thee United States Hockey League, recording 21 points (4g-17a) in 62 appearances. He is the son of 15-year NHL veteran Bryan Smolinski.