PNC Bank Community Spotlight

This season the Fuel are proud to be teaming up with PNC Bank to help make a difference around Central Indiana. Each month, we'll take a closer look at what the Fuel organization has been up to away from the rink in our Community Spotlight.

This year the Fuel donated over 6,000 stuffed animals through RTV6's Toy Drive at Teddy Bear Toss night. The Fuel's 2018 total shattered the club's previous single-year record of 4,273, set back in 2015. Over four years of hosting the Teddy Bear Toss, fans in Indianapolis have helped donate over 17,000 stuffed animals to families around Central Indiana. A crowd of 5,333 fans were in attendance at this year's event at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, throwing the massive wave of teddy bears when forward Josh Shalla scored halfway through the first period of Indy's 5-4 win over the Tulsa Oilers.

In honor of the holiday season, players hand painted ornaments that were sold during Teddy Bear Toss weekend. Proceeds from the ornaments were used to purchase supplies and toys for the pediatric and behavioral health units at Community Hospital North. Players Zach Miskovic, Brett Welychka and Josh McArdle had a shopping spree and hand delivered the presents to children.

This offseason the Fuel teamed up with the CBS4 Reads program, geared to promote literacy and reading in the Indianapolis area. This December, Fuel players Miles Liberati, Robert Powers and Neil Manning partnered with CBS4 personalities Frank Wickens, Star Derry and more to visit Clifton Young Elementary and Ernie Pyle to share their passion for reading.

The Fuel are dedicated to fostering youth hockey in Central Indiana. Several players hit the ice to join Junior Fuel players at their practices to show them some tips and tricks!