CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Cyclones fans will have to wait until the 2021-22 season for their local, minor league hockey fix.
The ECHL club Monday announced it will opt out of the 2020-2021 season, citing the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent capacity restrictions at Heritage Bank Arena where the team hosts home games.
"This decision was not taken lightly, but we feel it is the proper resolution for all involved," said team governor, Ray Harris, in a news release.
A team spokesperson wrote in the release that Ohio's "very strict social distancing guidelines" mean that the 17,556-seat arena can host only 300 people, including players, coaches, vendors and fans, "thus making it financially not possible to ice a team at this time."
Harris indicated the team would continue its work with the Cincinnati Cyclones Foundation throughout the would-be season.
Monday's announcement indicated that season ticket holders should hear from team officials soon regarding their options for the canceled games.
