Cyclones Announce Coaching Changes
The Cincinnati Cyclones revealed on Wednesday that Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jason Payne and Assistant Coach Chad MacLeod have been let go, effective immediately.
“We want to express our gratitude to Jason and Chad for their hard work and commitment to the organization,” said Cyclones Vice President & General Manager Kristin Ropp. “Since joining us in 2018, Jason has made a significant impact, not only at the professional level but also in youth hockey. After careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to move in a different direction with our Hockey Operations leadership behind the bench.”
Despite a slow start, the Cyclones finished the 2024-25 season with a 29-32-11-0 record. Lincoln Griffin and Chas Sharpe led the team with 25 goals each, while Mathieu Gosselin had the most assists with 41. Griffin finished the season with 52 points, leading the team in that category.
Payne coached the Cyclones for four seasons, posting a 143-114-31 record. His most successful season came in 2022-2023, when the Cyclones went 47-16-9 but were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
Payne, a Toronto native, joined the Cyclones as an assistant coach in 2018 under then Head Coach Matt Thomas. He previously held various roles in the OJHL, including scout, skills coach, skating coach, head coach, and general manager.
A veteran of 14 years in professional hockey, Payne played in leagues such as the IHL, AHL, UHL, and ECHL.
The search for the next head coach will begin immediately, with Ropp stating the organization is committed to finding a strong successor.
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