Junior Fuel Press Release

DON PERKINS TO COACH JUNIOR FUEL 16U FOR THE 2017-2018

SEASON

The Junior Fuel Hockey Club is pleased to announce that veteran coach Don Perkins has agreed to serve as the Head Coach of the 16U team starting in the 2017-2018 season.  “Adding a coach with Don’s resume and experience at the high school level only solidifies the Junior Fuel’s commitment to growing our coaching talent pool,” said Hockey Director Mike Berger. “Perky brings 28 years of knowledge developing midget and high school level kids not only as hockey players but strong student athletes. I look forward to giving Don the reigns for our U16 team and watching it grow into the program we know he can deliver.”

Coach Perkins played Junior hockey in Canada for the Oshawa Legionnaires and then continued his amateur career at The Ohio State University serving as the Division 1 hockey team’s captain. He signed with the Minnesota North Stars in 1986. During his professional career, Perkins played for the Virginia Lancers during their AAHL Championship season. He also spent professional seasons suiting up for the Indianapolis Checkers, the Fort Wayne Komets and the Indianapolis Ice.  Perkins brings a wealth of coaching experience to the Junior Fuel program. For the last 28 years, Coach Perkins was the Head Coach for Brebeuf Jesuit Hockey team in the Hoosier High School Hockey Association (HHSHA). During that tenure, he coached the team to many state championship games winning the 2013 AAAA State title as well as the 1991 and 2001 AA State Championships and the 2006 A State Championship. Perkins was selected as a HHSHA All-Star Coach 8 times and the Chicago Showcase Coach 5 times.

"I am extremely grateful and excited to be a part of the Junior Fuel organization and for this opportunity to continue sharing my passion for the game of hockey and coaching with the players of the 2017-18 16U AA Travel team,” said Perkins. “The Indy Fuel Hockey organization through the Hallett family has brought an exciting new era of youth hockey to Indianapolis of which I am proud to be a part. I look forward to the coming season and doing my part as a coach to help the Junior Fuel achieve its mission by upholding and demonstrating the organization's core values on and off the ice. "

Coach Perkins is currently employed at Eli Lily & Company, where he has been for 27 years. He has a wife, Kristen and three sons, Daniel, Mac and Sam.