Fuel Performance Review: Darian Dziurzynski

2017-18 FUEL PERFORMANCE REVIEW: DARIAN DZIURZYNSKI

#7 | FORWARD | LLOYDMINSTER, ALBERTA

2017-18 STATS: 65 GP, 25 G, 26 A, 51 PTS, 89 PIMS, 5 PPG

(WITH INDY: 47 GP, 24 G, 22 A, 46 PTS, 35 PIMS, 5 PPG)

One of the mid-season acquisitions that helped revitalize the Fuel on their way to the first playoff appearance in franchise history, Darian Dziurzynski found his scoring stride immediately upon his arrival to Indianapolis. Acquired via trade from the Rapid City Rush on Dec. 19 in exchange for future considerations, Dziurzynski quickly established himself as one of the Fuel's top scoring threats - tallying nearly a point per game (24g, 22a) in 47 games with Indy.

Playing to the left of center Michael Neal for the bulk of the season, Dziurzynski provided a solid balance of skill, physicality, and willingness to mix it up in front of opposing goaltenders - all of which made him tough to contain. The winner of the Fuel's Game Changer Award along with forward Johnny McInnis, the sixth year professional tallied multiple points a total of 14 times, including a four-point outing on Feb. 22 against Quad City. Another weapon for the ECHL's top-ranked power play unit in 2017-18, Dziurzynski chipped in 11 points on the man advantage during his tenure with Indy.

"When we traded for him we expected him to fill a power forward role to help us score and to give us a better net-front presence. That's what he did, and he did it with authority and the mindset to do well. He was a big key and a big help for us." - Head Coach Bernie John

Darian Dziurzynski with the wrap around beauty to put @IndyFuel up 2-1 on @CincyCyclones after the 1st period pic.twitter.com/7wXSMymTPY

— ECHL (@ECHL) December 24, 2017