Fuel land high-scoring veteran forward Geoff Walker

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, announced Thursday that they have signed veteran forward Geoff Walker to a 2017-18 ECHL contract. Walker brings nine years of professional experience to the Fuel roster, including 269 games in the American Hockey League.

Walker, 29, is set to return to North America after spending the 2016-17 season in Europe. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound forward began the year with the Italian HC Fassa in the Alpines Hockey League, where he put up 21 goals and 35 assists in 33 games before transferring to the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL. Walker chipped in 11 points (4g, 7a) in 15 regular season games for the Steelers before adding five points (3g, 2a) in four playoff games as the Steelers claimed the EIHL Playoff title.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Geoff to Indianapolis, the experience he will bring to our team will be invaluable,” Fuel Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operations Bernie John said. “With his extensive resume you can clearly see the quality of player we are getting. He's got the right mix of skill, scoring touch and toughness that will make him a player we can build a winning team around.”

A native of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Walker played parts of four seasons in the AHL from 2009 to 2014, recording 116 points (45g, 71a) and 382 penalty minutes in 269 total games played with the Syracuse Crunch, Lake Erie Monsters, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Manchester Monarchs. From 2010-12, he posted consecutive seasons with the Penguins with at least 30 points and 100 penalty minutes, including a pair of appearances in the Calder Cup Playoffs

In the ECHL, Walker has produced at nearly a point-per-game pace, tallying 129 points (53g, 76a) in 165 outings with the Reading Royals, Missouri Mavericks, Ontario Reign and Florida Everblades. Most recently, Walker posted one goal and five assists over five games with Reading in 2015-16, after accumulating 43 points (18g, 25a) in 60 games split between Missouri and Ontario the year before.

After four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Walker made his pro debut with the Reign in 2008-09, leading the team in scoring as a rookie with 48 points (21g, 27a) in 68 games. During his Junior career, the forward amassed 215 points (94g, 121a) and 251 penalty minutes over 228 games with the Prince Edward Island Rocket and Gatineau Olympiques, including a 90-point 2007-08 season with the Rocket.

With Walker's addition, the Fuel's 2017-18 roster stands at 11 players under contract - consisting of eight forwards and three defensemen. View the entire roster by clicking here.

Opening Night of the 2017-18 Indy Fuel season arrives on October 21, and Ticket Plans 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.

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