Fuel Back on the Ice as ECHL, Players Ratify New Five-Year Labor Deal

LarryInFishers.com

The Indy Fuel will return to action this week following the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), ending the labor stoppage that had put the league’s season on hold.

In a statement released by the league, the ECHL and the PHPA confirmed that both sides have ratified a new agreement, allowing the 2025–26 regular season to resume Tuesday night. The agreement runs for five years, through the 2029–30 season.

“This new agreement ratified by both the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association significantly increases player compensation, improves health and safety and delivers on new initiatives that are responsive to our players’ needs, while supporting our league’s continued growth,” ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin said in the league’s statement. He also thanked members of the collective bargaining committees for their work on behalf of the league.

For the Indy Fuel, the agreement clears the way for a busy return to the ice. The Fuel travel to Cincinnati for a Wednesday night road game before returning home to Fishers on Friday to face the Bloomington Bison. The team will then host the Kalamazoo Wings on Saturday.

As play resumes, the Fuel hold an 11-11-2-1 record, totaling 25 points, and sit in fifth place in the Central Division.

The PHPA said its ECHL membership overwhelmingly approved the new agreement, citing progress on issues identified by players during negotiations. PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay praised the players’ unity throughout the process.

“This agreement reflects the unity, resolve, professionalism and discipline of our members throughout this process,” Ramsay said in a statement. “Meaningful progress was made in several key areas identified as priorities by our members, and this outcome would not have been possible without their engagement and support.”

Ramsay also thanked the PHPA’s bargaining committee and staff, as well as other labor organizations across North America, for their support during negotiations.

With the new contract in place and the season back underway, the Fuel and their fans can now turn their attention back to the Central Division race as the schedule resumes this week at Fishers Event Center.