Sam McCue Joined ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

The 20-year-old forward has signed with the club following his participation in the Toronto Marlies training camp.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Hockey

Sam McCue Joined ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

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Forward Sam McCue has joined the Cincinnati Cyclones for the upcoming season. The 20-year-old prospect was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL draft.

Why it matters

McCue aims to use his time with the ECHL affiliate to hone his defensive-minded, physical style of play. His goal is to successfully ascend through the professional ranks to eventually reach the Toronto Marlies and the NHL.

McCue stands 6-2 and weighs 200 pounds, bringing a physical presence to the ice. During his OHL career, he played for five different teams and recorded 37 points in his second season.

The players

Sam McCue

He is a 20-year-old hockey forward drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2024 who plays a physical, defensive style.

Cincinnati Cyclones

They are a professional hockey team competing in the ECHL as a developmental affiliate for higher-level clubs.

Toronto Marlies

They serve as the American Hockey League affiliate for the Toronto Maple Leafs and provide a training pipeline for prospects.

The details

After attending the Toronto Marlies training camp in October 2026, McCue moved to Cincinnati to begin his tenure with the Cyclones. He brings extensive experience from the Ontario Hockey League, where he secured a championship with the Peterborough Petes in 2022-23.

Between 2018 and 2020, McCue played for Nickel City AAA teams.
During the 2022-23 season, he won the OHL championship with Peterborough.
The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted McCue in 2024.
In October 2026, McCue left for the Toronto Marlies training camp.

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Season Trajectory

McCue's transition to the ECHL highlights the standard developmental pathway used by the Toronto Maple Leafs to groom late-round draft picks. Success in Cincinnati serves as a prerequisite for gaining a permanent roster spot with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL.

McCue's addition provides the Cyclones with a 6-2, 200-pound frame to anchor their defensive rotation. His performance will be monitored closely to see if he can replicate the offensive production he demonstrated during his OHL tenure.

The takeaway

Prospects often rotate between professional affiliates to prove they can handle the physicality of higher leagues. Consistent performance in the ECHL is usually required for players to earn their next promotion within the organizational ladder.