Pionk joins Fuel

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Fuel have agreed to terms with forward Nate Pionk for the 2022-23 season.

Pionk, 26, started his first professional season last year with the South Carolina Stingrays, where he tallied nine points (2g-7a) in 29 games before finishing the season with the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League where he recorded eight points (5g-3a) in 17 games.

Prior to turning pro, Pionk played four years at The College of St. Scholastica where he was captain for his final two seasons while earning a degree in nursing. During his time there, he scored 64 points (22g-42a) in 82 games while playing under current Fuel assistant coach, Kevin Moore.

During the 2016-17 campaign with the Minot Minotauros of the North American Hockey League, Pionk had one of his best seasons, scoring 36 points (12g-24a) and posting a +17 rating.

Hailing from a Minnesota hockey family, Pionk played three seasons on the Hermantown High School team, where he helped bring the team to the state final all three years. Nate’s older brother, Neal, currently plays in the NHL for the Winnipeg Jets.