CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that they have agreed to terms with forward Matt McIlvane.

McIlvane (MAC-ill-vane), a 25-year-old, Naperville, Illinois native comes to Cincinnati for his first season in the ECHL. In an injury-shortened 2010-11 campaign, the fourth-year pro logged seven games with the Bloomington Prairie Thunder (Central Hockey League) and three games with the Peoria Rivermen (American Hockey League). Collectively as a professional, the six-foot, 207-pound forward has earned 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) and 88 penalty minutes in 98 career contests.

“Matt competes in all the areas that make you successful,” said Cyclones Head Coach Jarrod Skalde. “He is a tremendous penalty killer, he completes every night, and he makes the people around him better. When you can add a quality person like him who gives it his all in every game and every practice, it’s going to make your hockey team better.”

This year will be the second time that McIlvane has played under Skalde; in 2009-10, the two shared the same bench in Bloomington. Prior to going pro, McIlvane played collegiately at The Ohio State University from 2004-08, where he amassed 52 points (15 goals, 37 assists) in 156 games. During his junior campaign, he was named the team’s alternate captain and captained the Buckeyes during his senior season in 2007-08.

The countdown to the 2011-12 season is officially underway! Secure your seats for this year’s Home Opener on Saturday, November 5 when the Cyclones welcome the Chicago Express to U.S. Bank Arena for the first time at 7:30pm. Contact a ticket representative today at 513.421.PUCK or log on to CyclonesHockey.com for more information. Fans can also get the latest team updates during the offseason on Facebook and Twitter.

Click here to view Matt McIlvane’s career statistics.