Fuel to welcome three-time Stanley Cup Champion Bryan Bickell to Indianapolis on January 19

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliates of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, announced Monday that three-time Stanley Cup Champion Bryan Bickell will be the special guest for the Fuel's Blackhawks Night, taking place on Saturday, January 19 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Fans in attendance will have the chance to meet the former Blackhawks forward as part of Indy's annual celebration of their NHL affiliate in Chicago.

Beginning his professional career in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals and IceHogs, Bickell went on to play nine seasons with the Blackhawks from 2006 to 2016, where he was a part of Chicago's three Stanley Cup Championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015. In 395 career NHL games with the Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes, Bickell recorded 66 goals, 70 assists and 192 minutes in penalties.

A second round draft selection of Chicago in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft (No. 41 overall), Bickell built a reputation of being a playoff performer. The native of Orono, Ontario appearing 75 career Stanley Cup Playoff contests over the course of his career, collecting a total of 20 goals and 39 points. Bickell ranked fifth among all players in the 2013 postseason with 17 points in 23 contests, scoring the game-tying goal in the Blackhawks' Cup-clinching victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Bickell was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November 2016 while with Carolina, before announcing his retirement at the end of the 2016-17 season to focus on his health. Along with his wife Amanda, Bickell is in the eighth year of overseeing the Bryan and Amanda Bickell Foundation, which advocates for “'pit bull' type dogs that have been victims of neglect, abuse or abandonment.” In addition to providing resources for “pit bull” owners in low income areas, the Bickell Foundation recently launched their “MS Service Dog” program which provides fully-trained service dogs free of charge to individuals living with multiple sclerosis.

Indy's fifth-annual Blackhawks Night will also feature appearances by mascot Tommy Hawk and the Blackhawks Ice Crew. Before the puck drops between the Fuel and Cincinnati Cyclones, fans will be treated to a performance from iconic National Anthem singer and Indiana University graduate Jim Cornelison. Tickets are available now at IndyFuelHockey.com, or by visiting the Indiana Farmers Coliseum box office.

Single-game tickets are now on sale for the Fuel's 5th anniversary season at Indiana Farmers Coliseum! 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 2018-19 season.

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