Schmidty is heading to the city.
The Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) have signed one of the Powell River Kings’ most fondly-remembered players to their roster. Forward/defenceman Ben Schmidt will make the move to Ohio in time for the 2015-2016 hockey season, after recently completing a degree in engineering from the University of British Columbia.
“He had three great years here,” said Kent Lewis, Schmidt’s former coach during his tenure with the Kings. “I always joked with the kids because, you know, he was my little pet and one of my favourites. He just did everything right and he’s a big kid. I know that at UBC they used him as a defenceman and that’s a credit just to his overall ability.”
Schmidt began his junior hockey career with the Nanaimo Clippers of BC Hockey League, playing three games there before joining the Kings for the 2007-2008 season. The Campbell River native totalled 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) in 173 games. After leaving the Kings in 2010, he spent five seasons with UBC Thunderbirds, three of those as captain. He appeared in 139 games and gathered 60 points (14 goals, 46 assists), establishing career highs during his first and fourth seasons.
Describing Schmidt as a leader both on and off the ice, Lewis said he has no doubt the 26-year-old will be a key player for the Cyclones, wherever they put him. “He’ll do well. He covered a lot of ground and whether they use him as a forward or a d-man I’m not sure, but he’s great on the forecheck and he’s quick, and I’m just really proud of him as we are of all of our guys. He’s a hard-working kid and it’s nice to see it pay off for him.”
Cincinnati Cyclones are affiliated with Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League and Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League. Their first game with Schmidt on the roster will be October 17 at US Bank Arena.
