Fuel Receive Top-20 Scorer in Trade with Florida
Published on July 7, 2016 under 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 a trade with the Florida Everblades that brings forward Kevin Lynch and defenseman Matt Stanisz (stan-ISH) to Indianapolis in exchange for forward Peter Schneider and defenseman Kevin Clare. All four players were signed to 2016-17 ECHL contracts prior to the trade.
"This is a good trade for the Fuel. We fill a need with a number one center and add a steady solid defenseman," said Indy Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operations Bernie John. "We had to give up two good players, but it's the nature of the business and if you're looking to make your team better you have to make tough decisions. We wish both Peter and Kevin the best of luck."
The 25-year-old Lynch finished tied for 18th in the ECHL scoring race last season with 58 points (22g, 36a) in 62 games played, good for second on the Everblades roster. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound center's +16 rating in 2015-16 was tied for fourth-best among Florida skaters, and he also appeared in seven AHL contests with the Syracuse Crunch and Manitoba Moose.
"In Kevin we get an elite player in this league that can do everything. He can score, make plays, make others around him better and defend in his own zone," John explained. You look at his track record and where he has played, and it shows that he is a winner. He is not only a great player, but also a great leader."
Entering his fourth year as a professional, Lynch has accumulated 37 goals and 63 assists in 140 career ECHL games spent with Florida, the Evansville IceMen and Toledo Walleye. The native of Grosse Pointe, Mich. picked up 28 points (10g, 28a) over 53 games in 2013-14 with the Walleye during his rookie season. In 60 AHL games split between with Syracuse and Manitoba, Lynch sports three goals and one assist.
A second round selection of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (No. 56 overall), Lynch tallied 72 points (35g, 37a) in 168 career NCAA games with the University of Michigan prior to tuning pro. The former Wolverine and product of the U.S. National Team Development Program has also won a pair of medals at the international stage, winning silver at the 2008 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, before earning gold at the 2009 IIHF World U-18 Junior Championship.
Stanisz, 26, appeared in 41 games with the Everblades in 2015-16 during his rookie season, pitching in two goals, 16 assists, 64 penalty minutes and a +8 rating. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound blueliner strung together a five-game assist streak from Feb. 17-27.
"In Matt we get a steady solid puck moving defenseman. He plays hard and defends well in his own zone but can also add to the offensive side of the game," John said. "He has a great track record as a leader and being a key part of championship teams."
A native of Burlington, Ontario, Stanisz came to the ECHL after a four-year tenure at Carleton University (CIS), where he recorded 10 goals and 64 assists in 94 games with the Ravens. Prior to his collegiate career, Stanisz spent parts of five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) between the Owen Sound Attack and Barrie Colts, winning a championship in 2011 with the former.
Schneider, 25, recorded 20 goals and 25 assists in 74 total games with the Fuel, finishing third in 2015-16 team scoring with 37 points (16g, 21a). The Austrian native led all Indy skaters last season with five game-winning goals.
Clare, 26, finished his sophomore season in the ECHL with four goals and 15 assists over 67 games split between Indy and the Elmira Jackals. The New Rochelle, N.Y. native picked up five points (1g, 4a) in 13 games with the Fuel, after arriving in early March as part of the trade that sent goaltender Shane Owen to Elmira.
The Fuel now have seven players under contract for 2016-17, consisting of five forwards, one defenseman and one goaltender. An up-to-date preseason roster can be found .
Ticket Plans for the 2016-17 Indy Fuel season 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 .
ECHL Stories from July 7, 2016
- Steelheads Agree to Terms with Forward Jefferson Dahl - Idaho Steelheads
- Mallards Re-Sign Monfredo, Land Rookie Brown - Quad City Mallards
- Komets Re-Sign MVP Szydlowski - Fort Wayne Komets
- Fuel Receive Top-20 Scorer in Trade with Florida - Indy Fuel
- Komets Re-Sign MVP Szydlowski - Fort Wayne Komets
- Everblades Acquire Schneider and Clare from Indy Fuel - Florida Everblades
- Three-Time Kelly Cup Winner Riley Gill Returns - Allen Americans
- Martell, Cecere Return to Aces Defensive Corps - Alaska Aces
- Swamp Rabbits Add Goaltender P.J. Musico - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Rock Solid Henry Back for 2016-17 Season - Brampton Beast
- Solar Bears Agree to Terms with Ryan Massa - Orlando Solar Bears
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