Former Detroit Draft Pick Signs with Fuel
August 30, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, announced Tuesday that they have signed forward Marek Tvrdon (T'VAIR-doin) to a 2016-17 ECHL contract. A fourth round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (No. 144 overall), Tvrdon spent parts of the last three seasons in the Detroit system with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins and the ECHL's Toledo Walleye.
Tvrdon, 23, spent the majority of the 2015-16 campaign in Toledo, where he posted 21 points (8g, 13a) in 23 games for the Walleye. In addition, the 6-foot-2, 209-pound forward suited up for one game with Grand Rapids and a four-game stint with the KHL's HC Slovan Bratislava. In 53 career AHL games with the Griffins, Tvrdon has tallied 29 points (10g, 19a) - all of which came in 2014-15 where he finished fourth in team rookie scoring. The native of Nitra, Slovakia added another two goals and four assists in 13 Calder Cup playoff games that spring, when Grand Rapids reached the 2015 Western Conference Finals.
"We are very excited to add Marek to our team. He has good size that he uses to make plays, and brings a lot of high-end skill with a goal-scoring touch. You can see by where he has played that he is a difference maker," said Bernie John, Fuel Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operations. "Our offense just got another boost, which was an area we looked to improve upon this offseason. We have done that by adding Marek to the other forwards we have on our roster."
In 69 career ECHL games with Toledo, Tvrdon has accumulated 58 points (23g, 35a), along with 36 penalty minutes. The forward spent parts of four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets and Vancouver Giants, finishing his major junior career with 134 points (56g, 78a) in 119 contests. Tvrdon has also appeared in a pair of IIHF World Junior Championships for his native Slovakia; skating in the U18 tournament in 2010 and the U20 tournament in 2012.
The Fuel now have 17 players under contract for 2016-17, consisting of 11 forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders. An up-to-date preseason roster can be found .
Opening Night of the 2016-17 Fuel season is coming Friday, October 14 and Season Ticket Plans are now on sale! Join the team for year three at Indiana Farmers Coliseum by visiting IndyFuelHockey.com or calling 317-925-FUEL. Full and Half-Season packages are available, as well as 9-Game Plans and Group Ticket options. Stay up to date throughout the offseason by following the Fuel on Twitter and Instagram (@IndyFuel ) and don't forget to 'Like' the Fuel on Facebook .
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