Indy Fuel

Indy Fuel
CityFishers, Indiana
LeagueECHL
ConferenceWestern
DivisionCentral
Founded2014
Home arenaFishers Event Center
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)
Websiteindyfuelhockey.com
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
A panoramic view of a hockey rink with a large inflatable dragon head on the ice
The Fuel about to take the ice before a match against the Wichita Thunder on February 23, 2024, their final season in Indiana Farmers Coliseum

The Indy Fuel are a minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL that began play in the 2014–15 season. Based in Fishers, Indiana, the Fuel play their home games at the Fishers Event Center, after having started play 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]

History

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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. From 2013 to 2024, the club was based in Indianapolis, and played home games at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum on the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

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]

On February 23, 2024, Eva Hallman became the first female broadcaster for the team. She joined long-time Indy Fuel play-by-play Andrew Smith in the booth.

On December 6-7, 2024, Indy opened the gorgeous new Fishers Event Center and lost two games in a row to the Iowa Heartlanders, 4-3 and 2-1 (OT). The Heartlanders are the only team to win a hockey game ever at the Fishers Event Center.

Season-by-season records

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Indy Fuel season-by-season records
Regular season Playoffs
Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA PIM Standing Year 1st round 2nd round 3rd round Kelly Cup
2014–15 72 31 30 4 7 73 197 221 1026 6th, North 2015 did not qualify
2015–16 72 32 36 4 0 68 174 201 786 4th, Midwest 2016 did not qualify
2016–17 72 23 42 3 4 53 196 290 849 6th, Central 2017 did not qualify
2017–18 72 36 30 5 1 78 242 248 1195 4th, Central 2018 L, 0–4, TOL — — —
2018–19 72 35 32 2 3 75 230 247 1032 5th, Central 2019 did not qualify
2019–20 60 30 26 2 2 64 195 175 698 4th, Central 2020 Season abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 69 37 24 8 0 82 204 199 1002 3rd, Eastern 2021 — L, 1–3, GRN — —
2021–22 72 34 33 2 3 73 232 233 1093 6th, Central 2022 did not qualify
2022–23 72 43 24 5 0 91 244 208 1031 3rd, Central 2023 L, 0–4 TOL — — —
2023–24 72 39 25 6 2 86 230 221 1055 2nd, Central 2024 L, 1–4 WHL — — —

References

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  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. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved 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.
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