Former Laker Pierce promoted to Milwaukee

Former Laker Matt Pierce Promoted to Milwaukee (AHL)

Courtesy of Our Sports Central website.

CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators, announced this afternoon they have loaned forward Matt Pierce to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). Goaltender Jeremy Smith has been recalled by Milwaukee as well.

Pierce, 23, signed with the Cyclones at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season for Mercyhurst College. He currently ranks fourth in the ECHL in goal scoring (twelve) and is 15th in scoring (12-9-21). Matt's six power play goals lead the ECHL and is the second-leading goal scorer and third-leading point producer among rookies. Last season, he was the fourth-leading scorer in Atlantic Hockey with 24 goals and 20 assists for 44 points. Pierce was the top point producer among seniors in the conference.

The five-foot-eleven, 195 pounder from Parkenham, ONT played in 134 games during his four collegiate seasons, collecting 54 goals and 47 assists for 101 points and 57 penalty minutes. Pierce lit the lamp on 20 power play goals, collected three shorthanded goals and nabbed five game winning goals.

Smith, 20, has posted a 6-4-1 record with Cincinnati during his rookie season and his 2.45 goals against average is third-best in the ECHL. He began his pro career with a 22 save performance with a 2-0 shutout win over Johnstown on October 17. In his last three games, Jeremy has a 3-0 record with a 1.67 goals against average and a.925 save percentage.

The six-foot-one, 170 pounder from Dearborn MI was a second round draft pick (number 54 overall) by the Nashville Predators in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and posted a 61-39-10 record with a 3.16 goals against average and a.910 save percentage.

This will be the first trip to the American Hockey League (AHL) for both players.

Pierce and Smith become the eighth and ninth Cyclones player to earn an AHL promotion this season (and second and third of the day after Adam Henrich's promotion to Springfield), after 17 players earned the nod to the AHL last year. In the three-plus seasons that Chuck Weber has been the coach of the Cyclones, 57 players have earned promotions to the AHL.

The Cyclones host the Florida Everblades in games on Friday (December 4) and Saturday (December 5). Both contests start at 7:30pm. Friday night is the annual 'Teddy Bear Toss; where fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed (or gently loved animal) toy to the game and throw on the ice after the Cyclones first goal. Animals collected are given to the Shriners Burns Institute. That game will be carried on 1530 Homer - The Sports Animal with the pregame airing at 7pm. The contest will also be carried on the internet at: www.cycloneshockey.com.

Tickets for the 2009-10 Cincinnati Cyclones season are now on sale. The Cyclones Sales Department can be reached at 513-421-PUCK, extension 3. The Cyclones have selected Friday night games carried on 1530 Homer - The Sports Animal and all contests aired on their website at www.cycloneshockey.com. The Cyclones close out the weekend when Florida is in for 'Salute To The Reds' when the club wears Reds replica jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game and offers fans an opportunity to purchase John Morrell hot dogs for one dollar each. Proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit The Reds Community Fund.