On Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, the Indy Fuel announced the suspension of 24-year-old forward Thomas Caron from the team in order to protect his ECHL rights as he heads overseas. Earlier this week, on Sunday, the Indy Fuel traded forward Andrew Bellant to the Idaho Steelheads in exchange for Caron. Bellant had spent three seasons with the Fuel, during which he scored 37 goals and 41 assists over 173 regular-season games, adding one goal and two assists in nine playoff games.
Losing a fan favorite like Bellant was difficult for the club and fan base, especially since he had not been producing at his usual level. This season, he tallied two goals and six assists in 28 games played, missing only one game out of the Fuel’s 29. Last season, Bellant recorded 19 goals and 21 assists over 68 games, finishing with a +5 plus/minus rating. Though he will certainly be missed, he will continue his career with the Idaho Steelheads, who currently have a record of 17-12-3 (5th in the Mountain Division).
Initially, the trade did not seem unfavorable, but with Caron now heading overseas, it has become a total loss for the Fuel. Caron had been performing well this season, contributing eight goals and 18 assists in 31 games with Idaho prior to the trade, maintaining an impressive +13 plus/minus rating. Before this season, Caron played in both the AHL and ECHL with the Manitoba Moose (AHL), Trois-Rivières Lions (ECHL), and Norfolk Admirals (ECHL). However, he struggled in his AHL games, scoring only five goals and five assists with a -5 plus/minus rating. In contrast, his ECHL statistics are much stronger, with 52 points over 93 games played. While it is currently unknown which team Caron is joining overseas, I am confident he will succeed wherever he ends up.
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