CINCINNATI , Ohio – The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators, announced today that defensemen Maury Edwards and Justin Sawyer have agreed to terms with the club for the 2012-13 season.

Edwards, a 25-year-old Rocky Rapids, Alberta native, is back with the Cyclones for a second consecutive campaign. In 2011-12, he finished his rookie season with 30 points (7 goals, 23 assists) in 61 games – ranking eighth on the team in overall scoring and led all Cincinnati defensemen. He also became one of Cincinnati’s best plus/minus players as well, posting a +12 rating, which ranked fourth highest on the club. Prior to going pro, Edwards was a four-year letter winner at UMass-Lowell where he accumulated 79 points (28 goals, 51 assists) in 147 collegiate games. In 2008-09, he was named to the Hockey East First All-Star Team and New England D-1 All-Star Team. That same year, he finished third among all Hockey-East defensive scorers with 29 points in 38 games.

“Maury was one of our most consistent and stable defensemen last year,” said Cyclones Head Coach Jarrod Skalde. “His poise and professionalism on our blue line was impressive and I look forward to watching him develop in his second season with us.”

Sawyer, a six-foot-six, 240-pound rear guard, is set to begin his eighth year of professional hockey. The Peterborough, Ontario native has spent most of his career in the Central Hockey League (CHL) and International Hockey League (IHL). A season ago, Sawyer collected nine points (5 goals, 4 assists) in 64 games and finished third on the Wichita Thunder (CHL) in penalty minutes (151). In 375 pro contests, the 26-year-old rear guard has amassed 1,338 penalty minutes – amounting to more than 3.5 minutes per game. Sawyer once played under Skalde in 2009-10 as a member of the Bloomington Prairie Thunder, when he logged a team-high 288 minutes in the sin bin. While his numbers indicate a physical presence, he also has some stellar defensive numbers as well; since 2007-08, he has earned a career +26 rating – including a personal-best +10 mark in 2010-11 with the Odessa Jackalopes.

“Anytime you can add a guy of Justin’s size and skill on defense, it’s really going to benefit your club,” said Skalde. “In addition to being a strong and physical guy, he is a great teammate. We’re very excited to have him.”

The countdown to the 2012-13 season is officially underway! On Saturday, October 13, the Cyclones will host the second-annual Power Play 5K Run/Walk followed by the 2012 First Face-Off against the Wheeling Nailers at U.S. Bank Arena. Registration for the race is open NOW on CyclonesHockey.com. Don’t forget the Cyclones will host an exhibition game at U.S. Bank Arena on Friday, October 5 at 7:30pm with tickets available for just $5! Contact a Cyclones Ticket Representative today at 513.421.PUCK to reserve your seats. Fans can also get the latest team updates throughout the offseason on Facebook and Twitter (@CincyCyclones).

To view Edwards' career statistics, click here

To view Sawyer's career statistics, click here