INDIANAPOLIS - The American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs announced Saturday that they have assigned forwards Alex Wideman and Tommy Olczyk, and goaltender Matt Tomkins to the ECHL's Indy Fuel. In addition, the IceHogs have released defensemen Nolan Descoteaux and Garrett Clarke from their tryout agreements, with both players reporting to Indy.
Wideman, 25, led the Fuel in scoring last season, setting a single-season franchise record with 55 points (22g, 33a) in 70 games. In addition to being named Indy's Most Valuable Player, the 5-foot-7, 161-pound forward represented the Fuel during the 2017 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic in Glens Falls, N.Y., picking up two goals and an assist. A third-year professional from St. Louis, Mo., Wideman has collected 37 goals and 57 assists in 128 career ECHL games with Indy and the Evansville IceMen.
Olczyk, 26, appeared in 44 games as a rookie for the Alaska Aces in 2016-17, finishing with six goals and seven assists. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound forward from Long Grove, Ill. is a four-year product of Penn State University, recording 43 points (26g, 17a) in 128 total NCAA contests with the Nittany Lions. The son of Chicago Blackhawks broadcaster Eddie Olczyk, Tommy spent four seasons in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Sioux City Musketeers, leaving with 60 points (25g, 35a) and 116 penalty minutes in 205 games.
Tomkins, 23, is looking to make his professional debut after completing a four-year college career with Ohio State University. While with the Buckeyes, the 6-foot-3, 206-pound netminder posted a 28-26-7 record alongside a 3.03 goals against average, a .898 save percentage and three shutouts. The native of Sherwood Park, Alberta appeared in 22 games in 2016-17, earning a pair of shutouts and turning in a 12-5-3 record with a career-best 2.48 goals against average. Tomkins was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the seventh round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (No. 199 overall).
With the reinforcements, the Fuel's training camp roster sits at 30 players, including 17 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goaltenders. Indy opens its preseason schedule on Friday, Oct. 6 against the Fort Wayne Komets at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. All tickets for the 6:30 p.m. ET puck drop are just $10, and can be purchased at IndyFuelHockey.com or at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2017 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER
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.
-- INDYFUELHOCKEY.COM --