Fuel agree to terms with experienced defenseman Ben Youds

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs announced Tuesday they have signed defensemen Ben Youds for the 2019-20 season.

Youds, 31, comes to Indy after playing 12 games in the 2018-19 season with Rögle BK in Ängelholm, Sweden a part of the Swedish Hockey League. The 5-foot-ten, 185-pound Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native slots Indy's third veteran spot.

The defenseman brings nine years and over 390 games of combined ECHL, AHL and SHL experience. No stranger to the Blackhawks organization Youds began his professional career with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs in 2011 splitting time between Rockford and the Toledo Walleye notching 61 points (13g, 48a) over the next two years. Following the 2012-13 season Youds joined the Providence Bruins and the Lake Erie Monsters for three seasons garnering 54 points (13g,41a) before joining the SHL and splitting time between Leksands IF, Växjö Lakers HC and Rögle BK between 2016-19 tallying 46 points (4g,32a).

With the signing of Youds the Fuel have sixteen forwards, seven defensemen and three goaltenders signed for the 2019-20 season. Stay tuned to the Indy Fuel social media pages for more updates and transactions throughout the season.

Ticket Plans for the Fuel's sixth season are now on sale! Lock up your seat for every second of the action in 2019-20 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum 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.