2017-18 FUEL PERFORMANCE REVIEW: BRANDON ANSELMINI
#27 | DEFENSEMAN | GUELPH, ONTARIO
2017-18 STATS: 29 GP, 2 G, 15 A, 17 PTS, +6, 56 PIM, 2 GWG
With players like Garrett Clarke, the Rupert brothers and Reed Seckel, the Indy Fuel had plenty of agitators in their lineup during the 2017-18 season. However, few players were able to mix skill and sandpaper as effectively as defenseman Brandon Anselmini did. Despite being limited to 29 games due to a pair of injuries and an AHL call-up, the second-year defenseman chipped in two goals, 15 assists and was a constant nuisance to his opponents.
Even though he measured in as the smallest rearguard on the Indy roster (5-foot-10, 183 pounds), Anselmini made up for it with his heavy style of play. The native of Guelph, Ontario was never one to leave a check unfinished in his own zone, or stray away from a scrum after the whistle.
In addition to his gritty play in the defensive end, Anselmini was a factor in the offensive side of the puck as well. Both of his goals were of the game-winning variety - helping Indy to a 3-1 win over Quad City on Dec. 1, before tallying one goal and two assists during a 5-3 victory in Kalamazoo on Jan. 27. Anselmini saved his best for the home stretch of the season, marking assists in six of the Fuel's last seven regular season contests before tallying a goal and an assist during Indy's first round series with Toledo.
Under contract with the Rockford IceHogs, Anselmini also dressed in seven AHL games after his recall in mid-December, recording seven shots on goal and two minutes in penalties.
"Anselmini was good for us, but it was a tough year with his injuries. I really liked his game, he's gritty, he plays hard and has a temper to him, but he can fly as well." - Head Coach Bernie John
Oh Brandon Anselmini, we missed you. #INDvsCIN pic.twitter.com/rNuC9z74KH
— Indy Fuel (@IndyFuel) March 17, 2018
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