'This is my last year I believe': Cyclones defenseman Dajon Mingo returns

Jason Hoffman, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read

Cincinnati Cyclones defenseman Dajon Mingo will return this fall for what might be his final season in professional hockey. The 32-year-old ECHL veteran from Canton, Michigan, signed a one-year deal with the Cyclones, which the team announced Wednesday.

Mingo, a Bowling Green State University alum, will enter his seventh ECHL season and second with the Cyclones. Throughout his career, Mingo has scored 152 points (39 goals and 113 assists), with 32 of those coming last season with the Cyclones. The Cyclones also were +18 with Mingo on the ice last year, which was second among all qualifying players from last season with Cincinnati.

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"It's been a fun place to be and I'm enjoying life in Cincinnati," Mingo said via press release from the Cyclones. "Last year we had a roller coaster season. This next season has to be consistent. We have to win four or five games, then if we lose one or two we have to bounce right back and go on another win streak. This year is my last year I believe; I will be done playing hockey because I want to start coaching, but before then I can't wait to get at it this October and hopefully help us win a championship."

Head coach and director of hockey Jason Payne talked about the importance of Mingo's presence on the team and Mingo's place in the ECHL.

Double Trouble: Justin vaive 46, and Dajon Mingo 25 look downrink at the offense during the matchup between the Cincinnati Cyclones and the Iowa Heartlanders April 1, 2022 at Heritage Bank Center. Cincinnati beat the Heartlanders 4 - 2.
Double Trouble: Justin vaive 46, and Dajon Mingo 25 look downrink at the offense during the matchup between the Cincinnati Cyclones and the Iowa Heartlanders April 1, 2022 at Heritage Bank Center. Cincinnati beat the Heartlanders 4 - 2.

"Getting Dajon back means we not only have an elite defenseman on our team, but also a terrific mentor for our defense core," Payne said via a Cyclones press release. "He speaks up in the dressing room and on the bench and he was instrumental in the development of so many rookies we had last season. He's one of the more creative, dynamic players in this league and a constant threat on the power play. We look forward to having him back in front of our fans this season."

The Cyclones open up the ECHL season in October.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ECHL hockey: Cincinnati Cyclones defenseman Dajon Mingo returns