INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, announced Friday the signings of forward Matt Johnson and defenseman Anthony Cortese for the 2017-18 ECHL season. Johnson is coming off of his rookie season with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, while Cortese is looking to make his professional debut.
Johnson, 26, recorded six goals and ten assists over 43 games with the Swamp Rabbits last year. The 6-foot-1, 211-pound forward began his pro career during a six-game stint with Greenville at the end of the 2015-16 season, after his departure from Lake Superior State University.
During three seasons with the Lakers, Johnson saw action in 93 games, recording 18 points (4g, 14a) and 93 penalty minutes. The native of Clinton Township, Mich. is a three-year product of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), where he spent time with the Albert Lea Thunder and Amarillo Bulls.
Cortese, 23, comes to Indianapolis after two seasons with Concordia University (CIS) in Montreal, where he tallied 36 points (3g, 23a) in 55 total contests. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound blueliner led all Stingers defensemen last season with 18 points (1g, 17a) in 28 games.
Prior to going to school, Cortese spent the 2014-15 season with the NAHL's Corpus Christi Ice Rays, where he was the league's top scoring defenseman after posting 13 goals and 38 assists in 59 contests. The native of Pierrefonds, Quebec spent parts of three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Charlottetown Islanders, Prince Edward Island Rocket and Gatineau Olympiques, compiling 63 points (16g, 47a) in 170 total games.
The Fuel's 2017-18 roster currently stands at seven players under contract, consisting of five forwards and two defenseman. View the entire roster by clicking here.
Ticket Plans for the 2017-18 Indy Fuel season are now on sale! Join the team for year four at Indiana Farmers Coliseum and receive priority access to seats for the 2018 CCM/ECHL All Star Classic! Learn more by visiting IndyFuelHockey.com or calling 317-925-FUEL. Keep tabs on the team during the offseason by following the Fuel on Twitter and Instagram (@IndyFuel) and don't forget to ‘Like' the Fuel on Facebook.
— INDYFUELHOCKEY.COM —
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