McGuire, Schneider Return to Fuel
August 17, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Indy Fuel News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, re-signed forwards Johnny McGuire and Peter Schneider for the 2015-16 ECHL season, the team announced Monday. In 20 appearances for the Fuel last season, McGuire contributed one goal and 56 penalty minutes while Schneider netted four goals, eight points, 11 penalty minutes and a +4 rating in ten late-season games played for Indy following the conclusion of his collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame.
"Johnny is a hard-nosed player that is always ready to stand up for his teammates," said Fuel Head Coach and EVP of Hockey Operations Scott Hillman on Monday. "We're excited to have him back in the lineup this season and will rely on his toughness and tremendous attitude in the locker room."
A 6'1", 190 lb. native of Lindsay, Ontario, McGuire, 21, split his first professional season in 2013-14 between the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads and the AHL's Rochester Americans. In 11 appearances for Idaho, McGuire tallied one goal and 57 penalty minutes and registered 40 penalty minutes in seven games played for the Americans. In parts of three junior seasons in the OHL from 2010-11 to 2012-13, McGuire netted four goals, seven points and 299 penalty minutes in 119 appearances for the Erie Otters and Oshawa Generals.
"I wanted to come back [to Indianapolis] because it's a great place to play," said McGuire on Monday. "From the city to the coaching staff and the guys in the room...I think we can pick up where we left off and continue the great run we were on last season." As for his personal goals for 2015-16, McGuire says staying on the ice is at the top of the list. "Last year was tough for me with injuries so this season my goal is to stay healthy so I can be in the lineup regularly to help my teammates."
No stranger to hockey in the Hoosier state, Schneider returns to the Fuel in 2015-16 for his first full professional season. A 5'11", 192 lb. native of Klosterneuburg, Austria, Schneider, 24, collected 22 goals, 47 points and 76 penalty minutes in 138 career NCAA games played for Notre Dame during four varsity seasons from 2011-12 to 2014-15 and served as an assistant captain during his senior year. Prior to his collegiate career, Schneider spent the 2010-11 season in the Circle City with the USHL's Indiana Ice, posting 30 goals, 53 points, 49 penalty minutes and a +17 rating in 55 appearances while earning USHL All-Star honors.
"Peter came in at the end of our season last year and contributed quite a bit to our forward group right away," said Hillman. "He brings speed, physicality and has shown good offensive instincts and we're thrilled to have him back on board for the full season."
"I am very grateful to Coach Hillman and the entire Fuel organization for giving me a chance to be part of the team at the end of last season," said Schneider on Monday. "Many of the players that helped turn the team around last year are coming back and I know we can be very successful this year." Schneider says the team's objective in 2015-16 is singular. "I know that we can beat any team in this league on any given night and therefore just reaching the playoffs cannot be enough," explained Schneider. "We can make a deep run in the playoffs and whether it be offensively, with physical play or as an energy player, I want to help the team achieve that goal."
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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