McElroy, 25, appeared in 54 ECHL games last season, netting five goals and 19 assists for 24 points and 105 penalty minutes. T.J. played 21 games with Cincinnati, collecting two goals and seven assists for nine points and 55 penalty minutes. He was acquired from Idaho on February 3. McElroy also played for South Carolina, which gave him three teams that were all in first place when he played for them during the campaign. T.J. also played in five games with the Cyclones AHL Affiliate, Milwaukee, picking up four penalty minutes along the way. During the Kelly Cup playoffs, he saw action in 13 games and notched a goal (the game winner in game one of the American Conference Finals versus South Carolina) and six assists for seven points during Cincinnati's championship run.

"T.J. is a fierce competitor who will make an impact with our defensive corps," Cyclones Head Coach Chuck Weber said. "He is a steady player who can contribute at either end of the ice."

The six-foot, 210 pound native of Golden Valley, Minnesota, spent his rookie season with South Carolina (ECHL) in 2006-07, playing in 65 games and recording eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points and 110 penalty minutes. McElroy also played four years collegiately at St. Cloud State, appearing in 107 games there and notching six goals and five assists for eleven points and 112 penalty minutes. T.J. was a three-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) All-Academic Team selection.