Indy Fuel

The Indy Fuel are a minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL that began play in the 2014–15 season. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Fuel play their home games at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum on the Indiana State Fairgrounds.[2] They are affiliated with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.[3][4]

Indy Fuel
CityIndianapolis, Indiana
LeagueECHL
ConferenceWestern
DivisionCentral
Founded2014
Home arenaIndiana Farmers Coliseum
ColorsRed, gold, black, white
       
Owner(s)Indiana Hockey Club, LLC (Jim & Sean Hallett and Jerry Williams)[1]
Head coachDuncan Dalmao
AffiliatesChicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
Franchise history
2014–presentIndy Fuel
Current season
A panoramic view of the ice hockey rink
Immediately before the third period at a Fuel game versus the Toledo Walleye, March 6, 2020.

History

On November 11, 2013, the ECHL's board of governors approved the expansion membership application of the Indy Fuel for admission to the league for the 2014–15 season. On October 17, 2014, the Fuel played their franchise opening game against the Fort Wayne Komets, reigniting the Indianapolis-Fort Wayne rivalry after 15 years in a 4–5 defeat.[5]

On March 7, 2016, the Indy Fuel fired inaugural head coach Scott Hillman and named Bernie John as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2015–16 season.[6] On April 8, 2016, the interim tag was removed and John was named head coach and vice president of hockey operations for the 2016–17 season.[7]

At the end of the 2017–18 regular season, the Fuel qualified for their first playoff berth. Entering as a fourth seed in the Central Division with 78 points, they were swept by the Toledo Walleye in the division semifinals. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs in the following 2018–19 season and the team released head coach Bernie John.[8] The Fuel hired Doug Christiansen as the general manager and head coach for the 2019–20 season following his first season as head coach of the Manchester Monarchs.[9]

On September 14, 2022, it was announced that the Fuel would be moving to the Fishers Event Center, a new 8,500-seat arena to be built in Fishers, Indiana, in time for the 2024–25 season.[10]

The team practices at the Indy Fuel Tank, an indoor ice rink in Fishers, Indiana.[11]

Season-by-season records
Indy Fuel season-by-season records
Regular season Playoffs
SeasonGPWLOTLSOLPtsGFGAPIMStandingYear1st round2nd round3rd roundKelly Cup
2014–15723130477319722110266th, North2015did not qualify
2015–1672323640681742017864th, Midwest2016did not qualify
2016–1772234234531962908496th, Central2017did not qualify
2017–18723630517824224811954th, Central2018L, 0–4, TOL———
2018–19723532237523024710325th, Central2019did not qualify
2019–2060302622641951756984th, Central2020Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21693724808220419910023rd, Eastern2021—L, 1–3, GRN——
2021–22723433237323223310936th, Central2022did not qualify
2022–23724324509124420810313rd, Central2023L, 0–4 TOL———

Players

As of July 2023.[12]

Team roster
No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
44 Canada Cameron Bakker D L 30 2022 Kenmore, Ontario Fuel
23 United States Andrew Bellant F R 26 2022 Clarkston, Michigan Fuel
24 Canada Luc Brown RW R 27 2022 Napanee, Ontario Fuel
55 United States Christopher Cameron D R 24 2021 Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan Fuel
4 Belarus Kirill Chayka D L 26 2021 Minsk, Belarus Fuel
30 United States Zach Driscoll G L 26 2022 Apple Valley, Minnesota Fuel
31 United States Cameron Gray G L 27 2022 Woodinville, Washington Fuel
11 Canada Chase Lang C R 27 2022 Nanaimo, British Columbia Fuel
20 United States Darby Llewellyn LW L 27 2023 Ann Arbor, Michigan Fuel
– United States Luke McInnis D L 25 2023 Hingham, Massachusetts Fuel
6 United States Nate Pionk C L 27 2022 Hermantown, Minnesota Fuel
26 Canada Zach Vinnell D L 25 2023 Cochrane, Alberta Fuel
5 Canada Matt Watson D R 27 2022 London, Ontario Fuel
16 Canada Spencer Watson RW R 27 2019 London, Ontario Fuel
10 United States Alex Wideman RW L 31 2022 St. Louis, Missouri Fuel

References
  1. Stehr, John (March 5, 2017). "Indy Fuel owner aims to eliminate 'ice shortage' here". WTHR. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  2. "City's new pro hockey team to be called Indy Fuel". Indianapolis Business Journal. IBJ Media. November 26, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  3. "Indy Fuel sign affiliation deal with Chicago Blackhawks". IndyStar. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  4. "FUEL AGREE TO NHL AFFILIATION EXTENSION WITH THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS". Fuel. May 2, 2019.
  5. "Indy Fuel lose franchise opener 5–4 to Fort Wayne". Indy Star. October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  6. "Fuel Make Coaching Change". Indy Fuel. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  7. "Bernie John named Indy Fuel head coach". Indy Fuel. April 8, 2016.
  8. "Indy Fuel to Make Coaching Change for 2019–20 Season". OurSports Central. April 15, 2019.
  9. "CHRISTIANSEN NAMED FUEL'S HEAD COACH/GENERAL MANAGER". ECHL. June 14, 2019.
  10. "Indy Fuel new arena is part of Fishers District $550 million expansion plans". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  11. Shuey, Mickey (February 17, 2023). "Fishers selects manager for planned $170M event center". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  12. "Indy Fuel roster". Indy Fuel. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
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