Labelle brings over 680 games of experience to Fuel

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indy Fuel, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks and the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs, announced that they have signed veteran forward Olivier Labelle to a contract for the 2018-19 season.

Labelle, 33, returns to North America after spending the previous season in France with the Bordeaux Boxers, where he finished second in team scoring with 44 points (22g-22a) in 44 games, while topping the Bordeaux roster with 108 penalty minutes. He has suited up for a total of 686 games over his 12-year professional career, and enters the 2018-19 season just two points shy from recording his 500th as a pro (241g-257a).

In seven seasons in the ECHL, Labelle has compiled 363 points (170g-193a) and 878 penalty minutes in 402 games with the Reading Royals, Victoria Salmon Kings and Utah Grizzlies. The native of St-Eustache, Quebec has eclipsed the 50-point mark in each of his last three ECHL campaigns, while marking at least 20 goals in six of his seven seasons in the league. Reading’s all-time leader in goals (128) and games played (294), Labelle spent parts of five seasons with the Royals from 2009-17, helping the club to Kelly Cup Playoff appearances in each of them. In 65 total ECHL playoff contests, Labelle has marked 49 points (24g-25a) and 147 penalty minutes.

In addition to his time in the ECHL, Labelle has seen action in 132 AHL games over stints with the Providence Bruins, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Manitoba Moose and Syracuse Crunch, posting 39 points (15g-24a) and 257 penalty minutes. The four-year product of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has also spent four seasons playing overseas: in Austria with the Graz 99ers from 2012-14, and in two separate trips to France in 2015-16 and 2017-18.