2017-18 FUEL PERFORMANCE REVIEW: JOSH SHALLA
#24 | FORWARD | OSHAWA, ONTARIO
2017-18 STATS: 42 GP, 28 G, 22 A, 50 PTS, 8 PIM, 7 PPG, 3 GWG
Over the course of the Indy Fuel's first four seasons in the ECHL, the club has not had a more prolific goal scorer than Josh Shalla. In parts of two seasons with the Fuel from 2016-18, the forward has taken over the franchise goal-scoring lead (50) - without ever playing a full season in Indianapolis.
After posting 42 points in 48 games with Indy to close the 2016-17 following a mid-season trade from the Wheeling Nailers, Shalla headed overseas to start the 2017-18 campaign with the EIHL's Nottingham Panthers. The skilled forward had a modest start to the season, recording only eight points in 28 games for the Panthers, before eventually returning to the Fuel in early January.
Back in North America, Shalla caught fire as he racked up seven goals and two assists over his first five games. The forward finished the regular season well above a point-per-game pace, collecting 50 points in only 42 games - his 28 goals setting a new Fuel single-season record. Shalla logged seven multi-goal games, including a pair of hat tricks (Jan. 19 vs. Allen, April 7 vs. Toledo). A key weapon on Indy's top-ranked power play, Shalla tied for the team lead with seven goals with the extra man.
"Shals did what Shals does - he came in and scored right away and scored often. He's a 40-goal scorer in this league, and it's obvious he could have been if he was with us all year. He knows how to score, but also he's another guy who was great in the room as a leader." - Head Coach Bernie John
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