Bembridge, Simpson Return to Indy
July 27, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, re-signed veteran forward Garett Bembridge and rookie defenseman Andy Simpson for the 2015-16 ECHL season, the team announced Monday. The Fuel's leading scorer and Most Valuable Player in 2014-15, Bembridge contributed 25 goals, 52 points and 42 penalty minutes in 62 appearances in an Indy uniform last season. Despite signing an ECHL contract with the Fuel in March of 2015, Simpson did not appear in a game for Indy last season. In 33 games played in 2014-15 in his senior season at Dartmouth College, Simpson tallied one goal, 7 points and 16 penalty minutes and was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team.
"I am very honored and extremely excited to put the Indy Fuel jersey back on," said Bembridge on Monday. "I didn't hesitate for a second when Coach approached me to return to the Fuel." A pivotal piece of Indy's inaugural roster, Bembridge says the team's expectations in year two are even higher. "We started something special last year and came up just short of the playoffs," explained Bembridge. "We have a great core group of players coming back and we're eager to start off where we finished...Our goal is to make a run at the Kelly Cup."
A 6'0", 190 lb. right-handed shooting native of Melfort, Saskatchewan, Bembridge was selected in the fifth round (137th overall) by the New York Rangers in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and again in the seventh round (207th overall) in 2001 by the Calgary Flames. In parts of seven AHL seasons from 2000-01 to 2008-09, Bembridge appeared in 244 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack, Saint John Flames, Lowell Lock Monsters, Syracuse Crunch, Portland Pirates and Iowa Chops, notching 35 goals, 74 points and 131 penalty minutes. Entering the 2015-16 season, Bembridge has 276 career ECHL appearances to his credit spanning parts of six seasons with the Las Vegas Wranglers, Idaho Steelheads, Augusta Lynx, Utah Grizzlies, Missouri Mavericks and the Fuel from 2003-04 to 2014-15 and posted 117 goals, 251 points and 254 penalty minutes over that span.
"Garett was a real leader for us in the locker room during our inaugural season," said Fuel Head Coach and EVP of Hockey Operations Scott Hillman on Monday. "He is one of the more experienced veteran players in the ECHL and shows up with a passion to push himself and his teammates to get better every day...He is a great example for the young players on our team of the qualities one must demonstrate in order to be effective over the course of a long pro season."
Entering his 16th professional campaign, Bembridge, 34, also served parts of two seasons in the CHL from 2011-12 to 2013-14 with the Wichita Thunder and Denver Cutthroats and played parts of six seasons from 2004-05 to 2012-13 in Germany, Italy and Asia. Prior to his pro career, Bembridge potted 89 goals, 188 points and 111 penalty minutes in 218 WHL games played for the Saskatoon Blades in four years of major-junior hockey from 1997-98 to 2000-01.
A 5'11", 190 lb. right-handed shooting blue-liner and native of Wildwood, Missouri, Simpson, 24, scored eight goals and 33 combined points in a 109-game NCAA career at Dartmouth that spanned four varsity seasons from 2011-12 to 2014-15. Prior to his collegiate career, Simpson scored eight goals and 31 points in 104 USHL appearances for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in two junior seasons from 2009-10 to 2010-11.
"Andy is a mobile defenseman and a real 'attention to detail' player," explained Hillman on Monday. "He comes in with an understanding of how we do things in Indy based on the time he spent with us toward the end of last season...We believe he'll transition well to the pro game and we're excited to have him with us to start the year."
Simpson echoes Hillman's sentiments and says he's excited for the 2015-16 season. "I am thrilled to return to such a well-run organization as the Fuel next season," said Simpson Monday. "I look forward to [Coach Hillman's] fast-paced, open style of hockey and think it fits my offensive and defensive game well." Simpson also pointed to the support the Fuel received from their fans in the team's inaugural season -as a major reason for his return. "The Coliseum had a great atmosphere last season," said Simpson. "It's easy to see that Indianapolis truly has die-hard hockey fans."
In 2015-16, the Indy Fuel drop the puck on their second season in the ECHL. Full and Half-Season Plans for the Fuel's sophomore campaign at Indiana Farmers Coliseum are on sale now, along with 12-Game Flex Packs, 9-Game Plans and Group Tickets! To reserve your seats, contact the Fuel today at (317) 925-FUEL or visit www.indyfuelhockey.com for more information. Be sure to follow the Fuel on Twitter and Instagram @IndyFuel and don't forget to 'Like' the official "Indy Fuel" fan page on Facebook.
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- Bembridge, Simpson Return to Indy - Indy Fuel
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