Krantz Acquired by Cincinnati

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Cincinnati Cyclones announced this afternoon that they have completed a trade with the Alaska Aces. The deal brings defenseman Doug Krantz to the Queen City, while forward Justin Johnson heads to Alaska. The Cyclones are the ECHL affiliate for the NHL's Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators.

Krantz, 25, begins his second professional season after playing his rookie campaign with North Division rival Wheeling. He collected three goals and 21 assists for 24 points in 66 games with the Nailers. Doug collected two goals and six assists for eight points in eight games against Cincinnati in the regular season. He had one two-goal game as a rookie, a pair of lamplighters in a 10-4 loss at U.S. Bank Arena against the Cyclones on Jan. 14. In the opening round of the North Division playoffs he had a goal and three assists for four points in the seven game series loss to Cincinnati. The highlight being a two assist contest in game six to force the decisive game. He was acquired by Alaska from Wheeling earlier in the off-season.

The six-foot-three, 195 pounder from Marysville, BC played his college hockey at Cornell. With the Big Red, Krantz played in 131 games and netted 15 goals and 23 assists for 38 points while earning four varsity letters. A two-time All-Academic selection by the ECAC, Doug was also a two-time winner of the Earle Award for academic success at Cornell. Twice during his career the Big Red advanced to the NCAA tournament and both times they exited in the second round with an overtime loss. In 2004-05, he was selected to the NCAA West Regional All-Tournament team. At the end of his senior season (2007-08), he joined Texas (CHL) and played eleven playoff games for the Brahmas, picking up a pair of assists.

Johnson was signed as a free agent by Cincinnati in early December and played 43 games with the club, netting twelve goals and ten assists for 22 points. He added 208 penalty minutes with the Cyclones to lead the ECHL with 259. Justin also fought a league-high 31 times.

"Doug Krantz has the potential to develop into a high-end puck moving defenseman who will help us on the blueline," Cyclones Head Coach Chuck Weber said. "We were happy to honor Justin's request to be traded to his hometown."