ECHL: Ryan McCleary Heads To The NCAA

Originally posted on Inside The Rink
By Armand Klisivitch | Last updated Jan 21, 2026 6:23 AM ET

Cincinnati Cyclones defenseman Ryan McCleary is heading to the NCAA to join the University of Nebraska-Omaha after spending parts of two seasons in the ECHL. McCleary, 22, had a goal and five assists for six points in 28 games this season with the Cyclones. He made his AHL debut this season on December 12th, while on an AHL deal with the Toronto Marlies. During his rookie season, he had five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 69 games with Cincinnati. This doesn’t come as a complete shock, as we’ve seen a handful of players from the ECHL make the jump to the NCAA level. He is the second player to take the NCAA route after the season started, joining goaltender Michael Simpson, who went to Providence College. McCleary will look to make his NCAA debut on Friday vs Colorado College.

New defenseman on the Mavericks’ roster today — Ryan McCleary who played 28 games in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones.

EP profile: https://t.co/DIEidonxD6

Current roster: https://t.co/7cqG6jH8zQ pic.twitter.com/QPVzQD9QCU
— Mavpuck (@Mavpuck) January 20, 2026

McCleary’s WHL Stats

The seventh-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2021 began his career at the junior level, where he spent four seasons. He would play three games in the SJHL with the Yorkton Terriers before heading to the WHL. McCleary would spend his first three seasons with the Portland Winterhawks, where he put up 21 goals and 47 assists for 68 points in 147 games. He would add a goal and an assist in 20 WHL Playoff games. The Swift Current, Saskatchewan, native would finish his WHL career with his hometown team, the Swift Current Broncos. In 56 games with the Broncos, he had 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points. McCleary would add a goal and five assists for six points in nine games during the 2024 WHL playoffs.

This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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