CINCINNATI, Ohio – The 2010 Kelly Cup Champion Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that Matt Pierce has been called up to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.  He becomes the sixth Cyclones player this season to join a Triple-A roster.

Pierce will make his first-career visit to the American Hockey League after an All-Star caliber rookie season with Cincinnati last year, where he notched 50 points (28 goals, 22 assists) in 60 games. He experienced especially good success in January, netting nine goals during that month – which ranked fifth best in the ECHL. Now reunited with former Cyclones coach Chuck Weber, the 25-year-old was one of two Cincinnati players named to the 2010 ECHL All-Star Game (Jeremy Smith was the other). During the contest, Pierce had a team-high three assists for the American Conference which went on to win 10-9 in a shootout.

This season, the Arnprior, Ontario native ranks fourth on the Cyclones in scoring with 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists).  He found the net last night in a 5-2 Cyclones win over Kalamazoo, giving him goals in back-to-back games for the first time this season and three points in his last four games.

Jarrod Skalde’s team will enjoy a few days off before hitting the road for a four-game, three city trip beginning next Wednesday against the Reading Royals.  The mid-week game can be heard live on CyclonesHockey.com beginning with Cyclones Warm Up at 6:45pm.  The opening face-off from the Sovereign Center is at 7:00pm.

The defending Kelly Cup Champions return to U.S. Bank Arena on Friday, December 3 for the opener of a two-game set with the Florida Everblades at 7:30pm.  In addition to $1 John Morrell Hot Dogs, the first 3,000 fans through the gates will receive a Cyclones poster.  It’s also Weiner Dog race night, with an intermission race featuring some local Tri-State canines.  Discounted ticket packages and single game tickets for the 2010-2011 season are available now.  For more information, call 513.421.PUCK (7825) or visit CyclonesHockey.com.

To view Pierce's career statistics, click here