
Danforth Named ECHL Rookie of the Year
April 9, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release
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 the CCM ECHL Rookie of the Year. This is the third postseason award for Danforth, who was also named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team as well as the All-ECHL Second Team.
Currently skating with the Americans, and despite not skating in a ECHL game in nearly two months, Danforth ranks third amongst ECHL rookies with 28 goals and 31 assists, along with a team-leading plus-24 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. Danforth joins current New York Ranger David Desharnais (2007-08) as the only other Cyclone to earn ECHL Rookie of the Year honors.
"We are happy to see Justin get this award, it is a great accomplishment", remarked Cyclones Head Coach Matt Macdonald. He was a top end player in his first season in the ECHL and we are glad to see him excel is Cincinnati".
A native of Oshawa, ON, Danforth 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.
The 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs are upon us, and the Cincinnati Cyclones are on the quest for a THIRD Kelly Cup Championship! Single game playoff tickets and packages are on sale NOW, and can be purchased by calling (513) 421-PUCK!
ECHL Stories from April 9, 2018
- Royals Announce 2017-18 Kelly Cup Playoffs Roster - Reading Royals
- Americans Announce Playoff Roster - Allen Americans
- Solar Bears Announce Roster for 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs - Orlando Solar Bears
- Gladiators Announce Playoff Roster - Atlanta Gladiators
- Colorado Signs Rookie Forward Travis Barron - Colorado Eagles
- Thunder Announces 2017-18 Playoff Roster - Wichita Thunder
- Thunder Signs Wells, Reid to SPC - Wichita Thunder
- Solar Bears Receive Dupuy, Fejes and Gudbranson from Marlies - Orlando Solar Bears
- Mallards Clearance Sale this Week - Quad City Mallards
- Colton Saucerman and Matt Leitner return to Manchester - Manchester Monarchs
- Maine Mariners announce affiliation with New York Rangers - Maine Mariners
- Swamp Rabbits to Seek New NHL Affiliation - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Americans Announce Complete Round 1 Playoff Schedule against Idaho - Allen Americans
- Danforth Named ECHL Rookie of the Year - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Cincinnati's Danforth Named CCM/ECHL Rookie of the Year - ECHL
- Steelheads Steelheads Weekly Report - Idaho Steelheads
- Stingrays Complete Record-Breaking Regular Season - South Carolina Stingrays
- Walleye Weekly - Toledo Walleye
- Mavericks 2017-18 Season Wrap-Up - Kansas City Mavericks
- Fuel Kelly Cup Playoff Tickets Now on Sale - Indy Fuel
- Thunder Preparing for First-Ever Kelly Cup Playoff Run - Wichita Thunder
- Steelheads Announce First-Round Schedule for US Bank - Idaho Steelheads
- Storylines Heading into Series vs. Manchester - Reading Royals
- Fort Wayne's Szydlowski Wins ECHL Scoring Title - ECHL
- Logan Roe Named AMI Graphics/ECHL Plus Performer of the Year - Florida Everblades
- Florida's Roe Is AMI Graphics/ECHL Plus Performer of the Year - ECHL
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Komets Out-Muscle Cyclones 6-3 in First Round Preview - Fort Wayne Komets
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Cincinnati Cyclones Stories
- Riley Weselowski Named Head Coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones
- Cyclones Announce Schedule Change for Two Games against Bloomington
- Cincinnati Cyclones Earn Six 2024-25 ECHL Team Award Nominations
- Cincinnati Cyclones Announce 2025-26 Regular Season Schedule
- Cyclones Announce 2025-26 Home Opener, First Face-Off Details

