Cincinnati, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Buffalo Sabres and the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Rochester Americans, and in conjunction with the ECHL, have announced that forward Justin Danforth has been named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team.
Currently skating with the Americans, Danforth ranks second amongst ECHL first years with 28 goals and 31 assists, along with a team-leading plus-26 on-ice rating, through 44 games with the Cyclones this season. Before his recall on February 13, Danforth was riding a seven-game point streak totaling seven goals and 10 assists in that time, and he also enjoyed an 11-game point streak from November 18-December 15, accounting for seven goals and 10 assists in that span. Additionally, he has appeared in 15 games with the Americans this season, accounting for a pair of goals and three assists.
He was also the Cyclones’ representative in this season’s CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, recording a goal and emerging victorious in the Fastest Skater Competition, setting a new ECHL record with a lap of 12.75 seconds.
A native of Oshawa, ON, turned pro late in 2016-17, skating in nine games between the ECHL’s Reading Royals and the Americans and AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, totaling three goals and two assists in that time. Prior to turning pro, Danforth had an outstanding career at Sacred Heart University where he amassed 124 points (42g, 82a) in 147 games. He also served as assistant captain during his senior season.
Full ECHL All-Rookie Team
Goaltender – Mitch Gillam, Worcester Railers
Defenseman – Aaron Irving, Kalamazoo Wings
Defenseman – TJ Melancon, Norfolk Admirals
Forward – Grant Besse, Norfolk Admirals
Forward – Justin Danforth, Cincinnati Cyclones
Forward – Reid Gardiner, Wheeling Nailers
