For Immediate Release: June 5, 2018

BEN SIMON NAMED GRAND RAPIDS BENCH BOSS

Former Cyclones Head Coach Steps into Role After Three Seasons as Griffins Assistant

Cincinnati, OH- Former Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach, Ben Simon, has been named head coach of the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Grand Rapids Griffins; AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Detroit Red Wings. Simon assumes the role of headman following three successful seasons as an assistant coach with the club.

A native of Shaker Heights, OH, Simon served as the Cyclones head coach during the 2013-14 season following a pair of seasons as assistant coach with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. While in Cincinnati, he led the ‘Clones to a second-place finish in the North Division with a 41-23-4-4 record and a berth in the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Cyclones posted a 12-6 mark through the first three rounds before falling in the Kelly Cup Finals to the Alaska Aces, 4 games to 2.

Following his time in Cincinnati, he spent one season as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, before heading to Grand Rapids. With the Griffins, Simon helped lead the Red Wings’ top affiliate to a trio of playoff berths along with a Calder Cup championship in 2016-17. 

As a player, Simon enjoyed a successful 11-year career spanning six leagues in North America and Europe, including 81 games in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers and Columbus Blue Jackets. In 762 total pro games, he accounted for 119 goals and 178 assists for 297 points, along with 771 minutes in penalties. He played collegiately at the University of Notre Dame from 1996-2000, accounting for 130 points (44g, 86a) in 144 games played. He also served as team captain during his senior season of 1999-2000.

The 2017-18 season has come to a close, and the march towards 2018 First Face-off is ON! The Cincinnati Cyclones want to thank you for all of your support this past season, and invite you to stay tuned in the coming weeks and months for information on tickets and promotions for the 2018-19 season, great offseason events like Concrete Clones, player signings, and MORE! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding your Cyclones, and you can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!