The Cincinnati Cyclones are closing in on the start of their 2021-22 season. Of all the professional teams in the Cincinnati area. The Cyclones have been perhaps the most harshly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cyclones are preparing for their first regular season hockey game in nearly 20 months. With their season opener set for October 23rd at 7 PM Eastern. Starting their season on the road against the Indianapolis Fuel. Whom the Cyclones beat 4-1; in a preseason exhibition Thursday in Cincinnati. The Cyclones will play the Kalamazoo Wings in Kalamazoo on October 29th. Puck drop in that game is set for 7 PM Eastern. Cincinnati’s home opener against Indianapolis is October 29th at 7:30 PM Eastern.

The East Coast Hockey League team’s 2019-20 season abruptly ended. When the world of sports effectively shut down in March 2020. The Cyclones opted out of playing last season. Not joining the 13 teams that played in a delayed 2020-21 season. Meanwhile, most other local professional teams pressed on in 2020 and 2021.

FC Cincinnati resumed their 2020 season after their spring/early summer pandemic hiatus. The Cincinnati Reds played a shortened 2020 season. Ending in their first postseason appearance in seven years. They wrapped up a standard 162 game season earlier this month. With full houses allowed for most of the season.

Elsewhere in the major leagues, the Cincinnati Bengals played a full 2020 season. Though some Bengals fans might’ve settled for a shorter season. Just to be merciful to Cincinnatians, given how lousy the Bengals performed last year. Plus, sparing Joe Burrow from being flattened more than he was. Beyond the major leagues, the Frontier League’s Florence Y’alls baseball team had exhibitions in 2020. Following that up with a 2021 division championship season.

The Cyclones don’t have the financial resources to fall back on that other local pro teams have. While the Bengals, Reds and FCC have lucrative broadcasting rights contracts to fall back on. The ECHL and other minor leagues don’t have those massive broadcasting rights contracts. The Cyclones and other minor league teams are more dependent on gate revenue. Sports at every level suffered in gate revenue due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions. Along with shortened seasons played under atypical circumstances.

Even if the Cyclones managed to play a 2020-21 season. The obstacles would’ve been highly difficult for them to overcome. Especially if they faced an outbreak that prompted a pause in play. Such pauses left an impact on how Cincinnati and Xavier Basketball fared last season. Both teams went in different directions on the court after their pandemic pauses. The Cincinnati Bearcats mounted a late rally while Xavier slid. A similar change could’ve drastically affected the Cyclones’ playoff hopes.

COVID-19 disrupted the Cyclones’ season just as they were hitting their stride. The Cyclones already clinched a spot in the ultimately scrapped 2020 Kelly Cup Playoffs. They were leading the ECHL’s Central Division when the season ended. With 84 points through winning 38 of their 63 games. While also getting points through seven overtime losses and one penalty shootout loss.

Minor league teams like the Cyclones are used to staff changes. Promotions are prompting a few changes for the Cyclones heading into this season. The team hired a new head coach and a new announcer earlier this year. Andrew Mossbrooks will be the Cyclones’ new announcer. After predecessor Everett Fitzhugh was hired to be the radio play-by-play announcer for the NHL expansion Seattle Kraken.

Jason Payne is the Cyclones’ new head coach. Succeeding Matt Thomas, now an assistant for the Providence Bruins. Moving up from the Double-A Cyclones to a Triple-A team. Payne is the Cyclones’ first head coach of color. The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks alum was the Cyclones’ assistant coach for the last two seasons. Alex Bezerra succeeds Payne as Cincinnati’s assistant coach. With the baton being passed from one Toronto native to another.

Cincinnati’s roster will feature several returning players. Three of Cincinnati’s top five goal scorers last season are on the preseason roster. Jesse Schultz led the team with 25 goals and 39 assists last season. Justin Vaive was tied for second in goals with 21. Mason Mitchell ranked fourth in goals with 18 and had 13 assists last season.

One newcomer to the roster has roots in the Greater Cincinnati area. 26 year old Jason Tackett is a West Chester, OH native. Tackett played for the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Macon Mayhem during their 2020-21 season. The forward scored 12 goals and is credited with 24 assists. In his one season playing for the Mayhem, including their playoff run.

The Cyclones will face a challenging and eagerly anticipated season. Working to knock the rust off after a nearly two-year long hiatus. While striving to return to the Kelly Cup Playoffs. After the pandemic denied them of the opportunity last year.