Top scorer Josh Shalla returning to Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, announced Friday that they have re-signed franchise-leading goal scorer Josh Shalla to an ECHL contract for the 2018-19 season.

Skating in 90 games with the Fuel over the past two seasons, the 26-year-old Shalla occupies the top spot on the club's goal scoring list with 50, while his 92 total points rank second in team history. After starting the 2017-18 season with the EIHL's Nottingham Panthers, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward returned to Indianapolis in January, finishing the season second on the Fuel roster with 50 points (28g, 22a) in just 42 games.

En route to tallying a franchise single-season record 28 goals last season, Shalla logged seven multi-goal games - including a pair of hat tricks - while tying for the team lead with seven power play goals. The native of Oshawa, Ontario was instrumental in the Fuel earning their first-ever Kelly Cup Playoff berth, racking up 13 goals and three assists over Indy's final 11 regular season games, before chipping in a goal and an assist over four postseason contests. Shalla's strong finish earned him ECHL Player of the Week honors the week of March 26 to April 1.

“We're excited to be bringing Josh back to Indianapolis this season. His skill set speaks for itself, and his goal-scoring ability is among the tops in the entire ECHL,” Fuel Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operations Bernie John said. “You know exactly what you are getting with a player like that - a pure goal scorer and a great leader.”

Entering his seventh professional season, Shalla has accumulated 253 points (132g, 121a) over 305 career ECHL games with the Fuel, Wheeling Nailers, Toledo Walleye and Cincinnati Cyclones. In addition to his time in the ECHL, the veteran forward saw action in 58 games with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals from 2012-2014, logging five goals and 11 assists. Prior to turning pro, Shalla spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, where he recorded 233 points (133g, 100a) in 256 total games split between the Saginaw Spirit, Guelph Storm and Brampton Battalion.

With Shalla's signing, the Fuel have nine players under contract for 2018-19, including seven forwards and two defensemen. Click here to view the full roster.

The Fuel kick off their fifth anniversary season during Opening Weekend on October 12-13! Lock up your seat for every second of the action at Indiana Farmers Coliseum with a Fuel Ticket Plan - grab yours by heading to IndyFuelHockey.com or by calling the Fuel front office at 317-925-FUEL. Don't forget to follow the Fuel on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (IndyFuel) for news, updates, contests and much more throughout the offseason.

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