By Josh Sweetland
Tags: In Memoriam
The Ontario Hockey League is saddened by the loss of former Cornwall Royals captain Jason Cirone, who has passed away following a battle with cancer at the age of 53.
Cirone, from Toronto, was a prominent scorer over his four seasons in the OHL, racking up 130 goals, 150 assists and 280 points over 212 regular season games between Cornwall and Windsor from 1987-91. The Winnipeg Jets selected him in the third round of the 1989 NHL Draft and he’d suit up in three NHL games with the club before going on to a lengthy career in the minor pro ranks and Europe.
Cirone joined Cornwall as a fourth round pick in 1987 and finished his time with the Royals as one of eight players in franchise history to score over 100 goals, joining good company in Ray Sheppard, Doug Gilmour, Steve Maltais and Mike Stapleton. He helped Cornwall reach the Leyden Division final in 1989, putting up 19 goals over 17 playoff games before the Royals fell short against the eventual champion Peterborough Petes. Other career highlights included representing Italy at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin.
Following his playing career, Cirone served as head coach of the Midland University men’s hockey team in Fremont, Nebraska from 2013 to 2021.
The OHL extends thoughts and condolences to Jason’s wife Kristen, along with children Brooke and Mason at this difficult time.
