Cyclones sign Spetz

CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones, ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced that defenseman John Spetz has signed with the team ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Spetz, 26, re-signs with Cincinnati after originally being acquired by the organization via trade on Feb. 2, 2026. After an injury kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season, Spetz is set to make his Cyclones debut after starting his professional career with the Icemen. Throughout his rookie campaign, Spetz had seven points (1g-6a) in 33 games with Jacksonville. He scored his first professional goal on Nov. 13, 2025 against the Orlando Solar Bears.

At the collegiate level, Spetz had an impressive career at the University of Connecticut where he spent five seasons with the Huskies and logged 60 points (12g-48a) in 164 games. He finished his career with the Huskies as the program’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and points by a defenseman in the Hockey East era.

Prior to his time in college, Spetz was an alternate captain for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League. He led the team to first place in the Eastern Conference, where they would claim the Anderson Cup in 2020 for the best regular-season team in the USHL. At the time of his graduation to play college hockey, Spetz held the Steel's all-time record for points by a defenseman.