Ryan McGinnis joins Fuel coaching staff

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, announced Tuesday that they have hired former Kelly Cup Champion-winning defenseman Ryan McGinnis as the club's Assistant Coach. McGinnis joins Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operations Bernie John as full-time members of the Fuel coaching staff.

The Fuel also announced that former assistant coach John Bierchen has left the team in order to focus on his health.

“The Indy Fuel organization would like to thank John for his time and effort spent during his time in Indianapolis. We wish him all the best with his health and hope to see him make a speedy recovery,” [Bernie] John said. “Moving forward, we're excited to welcome Ryan to our coaching staff. In my conversations with him it's easy to tell that that he will bring a lot of excitement and hockey knowledge to our team, which can ultimately get us to the next level. He has experience playing at a high level and is hungry for a opportunity to continue his career as a coach.”

McGinnis is set to make his professional coaching debut after spending the past four seasons behind the bench at the youth level. The 30-year-old arrives in Indianapolis via Scottsdale, Ariz., where he spent the previous year as head coach of the U18 AAA Phoenix Jr. Coyotes program, while additionally serving as the Skills Coach for the entire Jr. Coyotes organization. During his tenure in Scottsdale, McGinnis worked alongside former NHL standout and current Arizona Coyotes Assistant GM Steve Sullivan, leading his team to a Tier 1 Arizona State Championship.

Prior to joining the Jr. Coyotes, McGinnis got his first taste of coaching during a three-year stint as the head coach of the 2003 AAA Florida Alliance in Estero, Fla.

Since 2014, the native of Flint, Mich. has worked with players from the youth to NHL level as the owner of McGinnis Hockey Development. The Detroit-based program hosts clinics throughout the U.S., focusing on skill progression, nutrition, off-ice conditioning and more.

“First off, I'm excited to be here. I'm looking forward to meeting the players and getting to know the staff, and I like where this organization is heading,” McGinnis said. “Everything looks good here. We're all going to share a common goal - to win and to get better, and I am looking forward to doing what I can to make those things happen.”

As a player, McGinnis enjoyed a five-year professional career spanning the AHL and ECHL. After five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, the defenseman went on to tally 13 goals and 77 assists over 187 ECHL contests with the Florida Everblades, Kalamazoo Wings and South Carolina Stingrays, helping the Everblades to a Kelly Cup championship in 2012. In 101 total AHL contests during stints with the Albany River Rats, Manitoba Moose and Syracuse Crunch, McGinnis recorded one goal and 12 assists.

The 2017 Indy Fuel training camp begins on Friday, September 29 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum and the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion. A full camp schedule and roster will be announced shortly.

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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