For Immediate Release: June 20, 2016
KEITH LANDS HEAD COACHING POSITION
Cyclones Assistant Returns to Native British Columbia
Cincinnati, OH- Cincinnati Cyclones Assistant Coach Cam Keith has been named head coach of the Trail Smoke Eaters of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). The move represents a homecoming of sorts for Keith, who grew up 45 minutes away in nearby Nelson, BC.
“I’d like to thank Ray Harris, Kristin Ropp, Matt Macdonald, and the entire Cyclones organization for giving me my first coaching opportunity,” said Keith. “Working for a person like Matt really gave me the confidence and the necessary experience to become a head coach, and I’m excited for the new challenge ahead. I know this would not be possible if not for my time in Cincinnati with the Cyclones.”
Keith stood behind the Cyclones’ bench for the last two seasons, helping lead Cincinnati to a 67-57-7-13 record in that time, including a berth in the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Prior to his coaching career, the 35-year-old enjoyed a successful playing career that spanned parts of 11 seasons, and included stops in the ECHL, American Hockey League (AHL) Central Hockey League (CHL), Germany, and Italy. In 213 ECHL regular season games, he accounted for 54 goals and 98 assists for 152 points, and helped the Alaska Aces to a Kelly Cup championship in 2006. Keith also skated in 146 AHL contests where he totaled 14 goals and 22 assists.
“We want to thank Cam for his work the past two years and wish him the best in the future,” remarked Cyclones Head Coach Matt Macdonald. “I know Cam will do a great job and will have a promising career as a head coach. He is a hard working individual who is very committed and dedicated to the sport and organization, and Trail is very lucky to get a person of his character to come in and lead their team.”
A 2004 graduate of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Keith was a member of the 1999-2000 Smoke Eaters squad. He led the team in scoring that season with 58 points (28g, 30a) in 54 games, and was named team MVP, as well as MVP of the BCHL All-Star Game.
The BCHL is comprised of 15 teams in British Columbia and one in Washington State, and is the top Junior A hockey league in Canada. Players from the BCHL go on to play NCAA or CIS collegiate hockey, and from 2000 and 2013, a total of 83 players were drafted into the National Hockey League (NHL).
The countdown to the 2016-17 First Face-Off is underway! The Cyclones will return to U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday, October 15 when they host the Indy Fuel at 7:35pm. Between now and then, be on the lookout for several offseason events like Meijer Concrete Clones! Additionally, 2016-17 Season Ticket Packages are available NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the offseason on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
