On Wednesday September 16th, the Cincinnati Cyclones announced the re-signing of American defensemen Connor Schmidt. The two sides agreed to terms on a standard player contract for the upcoming season.
Schmidt, 26-years-old, is a 5’11, right-handed defensemen who is never shy about hitting and other physical play. He hails from Flat Rock, Michigan and is entering his fourth season of professional hockey.
Schmidt played collegiate hockey, having spanned five years between three different schools. He played with Arizona State, Ferris State University and Utica College. During his two years with the Bulldogs, Schmidt took part in 43 games where he recorded two goals along with five assists. While making for seven points, he also added on 26 penalty minutes.
In the two years that he spent with the Sun Devils, Schmidt played in 46 games, scoring seven goals along with 134 assists. While this made for 20 points, he also added on 36 penalty minutes.
During his final year at school, Schmidt recorded only three goals along with 12 assists which made for 15 points. While doing so in 25 games, he also added on 78 penalty minutes. This was his only year with Utica College.
Making the jump pro shortly after, Schmidt signed a deal with the Tulsa Oilers for his rookie season in 2017-18. It was then he played 26 games, recording five assists for a total of five points. he also added 42 penalty minutes.
In 2018-19, Schmidt did not re-sign with the Oilers, so he went on to play in SPHL. He did so with the Huntsville Havoc, skating in 16 games before receiving a call-up. In doing so, Schmidt would compete with the Toledo Walleye for the season’s remainder.
With the Havoc, Schmidt recorded nine goals along with four assists which made for 13 points. While doing so in 16 games, he also added on 38 penalty minutes. Transitioning to Toledo, Schmidt recorded two goals along with two assists for a total of four points. He also added 38 penalty minutes.
In 2019-20, Schmidt signed with the Kalamazoo Wings and played 13 games before Cincinnati claimed him. During the tenure he spanned there, Schmidt couldn’t manage to score, but put up two assists for a total of two points. The defensemen also added nine penalty minutes.
He finished off the season with the Cyclones, compiling 21 penalty minutes through 11 games played. In a statement from the right-handed shooter upon signing his contract on Wednesday afternoon, he said, “I’m very grateful to be returning to the great city and organization in Cincinnati. The way last season ended was very unfortunate for all of us. With that being said, we have some unfinished business to take care of.”
As for the thoughts of Matt Thomas, head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones, he said of the team’s latest signing, “Connor is an experienced ECHL defensemen that provided quality depth for us in the second half of the season, he is mobile, tough to play against and is a player that leaves it all on the ice every night. We look forward to him returning.”