KELLY CUP TO VISIT CINCINNATI

KELLY CUP TO VISIT CINCINNATI

For Immediate Release: March 16, 2016

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

KELLY CUP TO VISIT CINCINNATI

ECHL’s Top Prize to be on Display Thursday and Friday

 

Cincinnati, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones, in conjunction with the ECHL, are proud to announce that the Kelly Cup will be at U.S. Bank Arena this Thursday and Friday for Cincinnati’s games against the Wheeling Nailers. The visit is a part of the ECHL’s Kelly Cup Tour, which offers ECHL fans the opportunity to view the coveted Patrick J. Kelly Cup, which has been awarded to the ECHL postseason champion since 1996-97.

“It is a great honor to be able to bring the Kelly Cup Tour to Cincinnati,” said Cyclones Vice President & General Manager Kristin Ropp. “We are always looking for unique and fun ways to engage with our fans. Having seen the Kelly Cup hoisted by the Cyclones in 2008 and 2010, there is an extra sense of pride and sentiment in relation to the cup from our fans. We invite all fans to join us for this week’s games as to see one of hockey’s most prized possessions up close.”

The Cyclones have won the Kelly Cup twice since returning to the ECHL in 2006, having defeated the Las Vegas Wranglers, four games to two in 2008, and the Idaho Steelheads, four games to one, in 2010. Cincinnati made a third trip to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2014 where they fell to the Alaska Aces, four games to two.

The Kelly Cup is named in recognition of Patrick J. Kelly, who is one of the founding fathers of the ECHL. Kelly served as Commissioner of the ECHL for the first eight seasons before being named Commissioner Emeritus in 1996, a title which he continues to hold. 

After its stop in Cincinnati on March 17-18, the Kelly Cup will visit Toledo, OH, on March 26, Worcester, MA, for its Fan Fest on April 3, Greenville, SC, on April 8 and Manchester, NH, during the week of April 11.

 

Kelly Cup Facts:

o   Height: 28 inches tall

o   Weight: 37 pounds

o   First Awarded: 1997 (South Carolina Stingrays)

o   Most Recent Champion: Allen Americans

o   NHLers Engraved on the Kelly Cup: 35 (Cyclones: David Desharnais, Cedrick Desjardins, Ryan Russell- 2008; Mark Van Guilder- 2010) 

The Cyclones will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day when they return home on Thursday and Friday to take on the Wheeling Nailers. Cincinnati will be wearing special St. Patrick’s Day jerseys for both games, and they will then be auctioned off after the game on Friday. They Cyclones will also be featuring $1 beer specials on Thursday, and green beer on both Thursday and Friday.

 

The 2015-2016 season is underway! Your Cyclones are on the march towards another Kelly Cup Championship, and want you along for the ride! Be sure to check out one of our 2015-16 Ticket Packages, available NOW! Call 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), Instagram, and our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!