Indy Fuel sign affiliation deal with Chicago Blackhawks

The Indy Fuel will make their ECHL debut with prospects from the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.

Fuel owner Jim Hallett confirmed a five-year affiliation agreement with the Blackhawks will be announced today.

"We're really excited because it's a first-class organization," Hallett said of Chicago, a former parent club for the now-defunct Indianapolis Ice during International and Central Hockey League days.

"Chicago already has a strong fanbase in Indianapolis, and the Blackhawks are a winning organization with a strong emphasis on the development of up-and-coming young talent," said Hallett's son, Sean, Fuel president.

Mark Bernard, Blackhawks director of hockey administration, said in a Fuel news release, "The Blackhawks and the city of Indianapolis have a history of developing many players who have had successful NHL careers, and we look forward to doing the same with the Fuel and our deep group of talented prospects."

Indiana State Fairgrounds will unveil the renovated Coliseum, where the Fuel will play, in an April 24 ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house. The $63 million project has boosted hockey seating capacity to about 6,200.

A new naming rights deal for the venue formerly known as the Pepsi Coliseum is also in the works, Jim Hallett said.

Call Star reporter Phillip B. Wilson at (317) 444-6642. Follow him on Twitter: @pwilson24.