Schmidt signs with Cyclones.

Cincinnati Cyclones signed Ben Schmidt for the upcoming season giving them a rookie prospect who can play at both ends of the ice.

Schmidt is a 26-year-old, 6’2,” 194 lbs. winger from Campbell River, BC who graduated from University of BC this spring after five seasons, including one as as an assistant captain and another as captain.

Last season at UBC, Schmidt collected eight points (2g, 6a) and 29 penalty minutes in 28 games.

“Ben is a great character guy who is ready to make the transition to the pro ranks,” said Cyclones Head Coach Matt MacDonald in a team issued press release. “He is a big kid who will compete every night and push the pace of the game with his skating abilities. He is a mature guy who prides himself on being able to fit different roles for our team next season.”

Ratchuk joins Cyclones

Earlier this month, the Cyclones announced the signing of veteran defenseman Mike Ratchuk, a 27-year-old, 5’7,” 174 lbs. native of Buffalo, NY who was originally selected in the Second Round (42nd Overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Ratchuk has played eight full seasons of pro hockey already as well as a three-game pro taste at the end of the 2007-08 season when he wrapped up his sophomore season at Michigan State and played with the Philadelphia Phantoms.

In that time, Ratchuk, who played his junior hockey with the USA National Development Team, has played primarily in the AHL (147 games) and ECHL (175 games) along with one brief stint with Fort Wayne, then a CHL club and one season of pro hockey in Austria.

Most  recently, Ratchuk has played the past two seasons in Wheeling. Last season he appeared in just 28 games, collecting 11 points (2g, 9a) and 22 penalty minutes. Clearly, Head Coach Matt McDonald is hoping to see Ratchuk return to his 2013-14 form when he appeared in 69 games and put up 44 points (15g, 29a) for the Nailers, by far the best offensive numbers of his pro career so far.

“Mike is a top defenseman in the ECHL, and he has shown every year that he can make an impact in every game,” said  Coach Matt MacDonald in a Cyclones’ issued press release. “ He also brings a lot of experience on the backend which will help our younger guys develop.”