John Spetz, a 26-year-old defenseman, has officially re-signed with the Cincinnati Cyclones for the 2026-27 ECHL season, marking his first full-season commitment to the club after a mid-season trade earlier in the year.
The agreement follows a season that was largely defined by injury; Spetz missed the bulk of the 2025-26 campaign after being sidelined in February, but the Cyclones decided to retain him as he recovered from a lower-body ailment.
A Fresh Start in Cincinnati
Spetz made his professional debut in November 2025, contributing a goal against the Orlando Solar Bears and finishing the year with seven points in 33 appearances, numbers that hinted at his offensive potential.
Before arriving in Cincinnati, he completed a five-year stint at the University of Connecticut, where he amassed 60 points as a defenseman and served as an alternate captain for the Chicago Steel of the USHL, a team that captured the Anderson Cup in 2020.
Coaches see his blend of size, skating and playmaking as a catalyst for a roster eager to rebound, and they expect his experience to help steer younger teammates through a competitive season.