For Immediate Release: January 12, 2020

LUUKKONEN RECALLED TO ROCHESTER

Cyclones All-Star Earns First AHL Assignment of the Season

Cincinnati, OH-  The Rochester Americans, Cincinnati’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate have recalled Cyclones goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. This is the first call-up of the season for the rookie netminder.  

Named the Cyclones’ representative for the upcoming 2020 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic earlier in the week, Luukkonen has skated in 20 games for the Cyclones this season, accounting for a record of 12-5-3-0, and he ranks third with a 2.12 goals-against average, to go along with a .917 save-percentage. He is also tied for second in the ECHL with three shutouts.  

Luukkonen has allowed more than three goals on just five occasions this season, and has made 25 or more saves on 10 occasions. He was named the Warrior Hockey/ECHL Goaltender of the Month for December after posting a record of 6-2-1-0 and a 1.88 goals-against average along with a .925 save percentage. 

Hailing from Espoo, FIN, Luukkonen is coming off a successful season with the Sudbury Wolves in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he posted a record of 38-11-2, along with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. He was named OHL Goaltender of the Year for his efforts, and he also earned the Red Tilson Trophy, which is given to the Most Outstanding Player in the League. He is the first European import player to earn that award. Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, National Hockey League (NHL) affiliate of the Cyclones, in the second round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Luukkonen made his North American debut late last season, stopping 32 shots in a 4-2 win over the Belleville Senators on April 14. 

He has also seen time on the international stage with the Finnish National Team, earning a gold medal in both the 2019 Under-20 World Junior Championships and 2017 Under-18 World Junior Championships, and he helped backstop the Finnish squad to a silver medal in the 2017 U18 WJC.  Luukkonen has also suited up on the Finnish club level for the HPK program from 2014-18, winning a Jr. A SM-liiga Championship in 2017. 

The 2019-20 Cincinnati Cyclones season is upon us! The defending Brabham Cup champion Cyclones are looking to build off of last season’s success, and we invite YOU to join us for the ride! Single game tickets, along with season and group ticket packages for every game this season are on sale now, and you can get more info by calling (513) 421-PUCK! Stay on top of all the latest team updates and information on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!