Enforcer Justin Portillo Re-Signs with Cincinnati
ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Enforcer Justin Portillo Re-Signs with Cincinnati

Published on August 12, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, today announced that forward Justin Portillo has re-signed for the 2026-27 season. With his signing, Portillo becomes the fourth forward to sign with Cincinnati.

Portillo, 34, will skate in his second full season with the Cyclones following a 2025-26 campaign that saw the gritty veteran appear in 43 games. He recorded his first ECHL goal on Jan. 9, 2026 in a road contest against the Fort Wayne Komets and added an assist to his season tally as well. On top of his 43 appearances, Portillo logged 72 PIM, the third most on the roster last season.

"Justin represents so much of what we want our team and organization to stand for. He brings energy and enthusiasm to the rink every day, whether it is a practice or a game, and his work ethic is contagious." said Cyclones Head Coach Riley Weselowski. "He raises the standard for our group and has a way of bringing out the best in the people around him. Justin is a team-first player in every sense. He protects his teammates, embraces his role and wants nothing more than to help bring a championship to Cincinnati. He is extremely well respected in our locker room, and the example he sets is especially valuable for our younger players."

"They get to see that being a professional is about much more than what happens during games; it is about how you prepare, how consistently you work and how much you are willing to sacrifice for the group. That character extends beyond the rink. The way Justin carries himself as a father reflects the same care, responsibility and selflessness he brings to our team," he added. "He is also tremendous with kids and spends his summers working with youth players and giving back to the next generation of the game. Every successful organization needs people who make everyone around them better, and Justin does that for us every day. Bringing him back is an important signing for our team, our locker room and the Cincinnati community."

Prior to his arrival in Cincinnati, Portillo mixed around the FPHL and SPHL between the 2019-20 to 2024-25 seasons, playing for six different organizations across those six seasons. His first stint in the ECHL came with the Kansas City Mavericks in 2021-22 when he appeared in 11 games for the Mountain Division club on loan. He would sign his first full ECHL contract last season with Cincinnati after he joined the team on loan at the end of 2024-25.

Call (513) 421-PUCK for tickets and more information and stay on top of all the latest team updates and information on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com. Subscribe to FloSports and watch every Cyclones hit, save, and goal live and on demand using this link today: https://flosports.link/4dVcToM

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