Fuel Add Veteran Blueliner, Rookie Forward

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indy Fuel, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs, signed veteran defenseman David Pszenyczny and rookie forward Cody Sharib for the 2015-16 ECHL season, the team announced Tuesday. In 67 ECHL appearances for the Tulsa Oilers last season, Pszenyczny registered ten goals, 30 points and 82 penalty minutes while Sharib tallied seven goals, eight points and 18 penalty minutes in 30 NCAA appearances for the University of Connecticut in 2014-15.
“David knows exactly what I expect as a coach,” said Fuel Head Coach and EVP of Hockey Operations Scott Hillman on Tuesday. “He is a veteran player that plays with a ton of grit and has valuable championship experience…He will be a big addition to our team as he demonstrates daily the intensity it takes to compete as a pro.”

A 6’0”, 192 lb., 30 year-old left-handed blue-liner from Sterling Heights, Michigan, Pszenyczny (pronounced pshuh-NITCH-nee) served as an assistant captain for Hillman’s Missouri Mavericks in the CHL from 2011-12 to 2013-14, and posted career totals of 49 goals, 139 points, 744 penalty minutes and a +48 rating in 347 CHL games played spanning six seasons with Missouri and the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, helping Bossier-Shreveport capture the 2010-11 Ray Miron President’s Cup as CHL Playoff Champions.

In parts of three ECHL seasons from 2006-07 to 2014-15, Pszenyczny collected 21 goals, 71 points and 308 penalty minutes in 171 appearances for the Phoenix Roadrunners, Alaska Aces, Reading Royals and Tulsa. Pszenyczny also skated in four AHL games for the Toronto Marlies during the 2006-07 season, two UHL games for the Muskegon Fury in 2004-05 and logged 51 goals, 133 points, 555 penalty minutes and a +29 rating in 261 OHL games played for the Sarnia Sting, Mississauga IceDogs and Barrie Colts during parts of five major junior seasons from 2001-02 to 2005-06.

“It was an easy decision to sign with the Fuel,” said Pszenyczny on Tuesday. “The familiarity I have with [former Missouri teammates] Shane Owen and Anders Franzon were big selling points and the location is great for me and my family.” As for his on-ice goals this season, Pszenyczny says they’re cut and dry. “Every season the main goal is to win the championship,” said Pszenyczny. “Finishing at the top of our division should set our team on course to achieve that.”

A 6’2”, 209 lb. left-handed forward from Needham, Massachusetts, Sharib, 25, joins the Fuel following a four-year collegiate career at Connecticut from 2011-12 to 2014-15 that featured 25 goals, 48 points and 59 penalty minutes in 132 combined NCAA appearances for the Huskies. Prior to his collegiate career, Sharib helped the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs claim back-to-back EJHL championships in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

“I have only heard good things about the [Fuel] organization, the city and its fans,” said Sharib on Tuesday. “As a rookie, [the ECHL] will be a new environment for me and I am excited to grow [in Indianapolis] both on and off the ice.” Sharib describes his approach as “physical,” and says he’ll do what it takes to win. “I’m a big power forward that loves to play fast,” explained Sharib. “I want to help my team both in the corners and on the scoreboard.”
Hillman agrees, saying Sharib’s work ethic will serve him well in the professional ranks. “Cody is a big, strong winger and we liked the intensity he showed in the college game,” said Hillman. “[Fuel Training Camp] will be very competitive but we believe Cody is ready to make an impact in the ECHL.”