Bowling Green Hockey defenseman Zach Vinnell has signed a contract with the Indy Fuel, the ECHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Vinnell, a native of Cochrane, Alberta, spent the 2022-23 season at BGSU, leading all Falcon defensemen in assists (19) and points (20).
Vinnell finished the 2022-23 regular season with 19 assists, tied for third on the team and ninth in the conference. He ranked fifth among CCHA defensemen in assists and was 14th in the league with 46 blocked shots.
He closed the season on a seven-game scoring streak, tallying an assist in each game. In conference games, he had 16 assists, ranking sixth in the league, including third among blue-liners.
Vinnell spent his first three seasons at Merrimack, compiling eight goals and 25 assists for 33 points in 84 games. He concludes his collegiate career with nine goals and 44 assists for 53 points, totaling these numbers in 120 games.
The senior obtained his bachelor’s degree in three years at Merrimack and is on pace to receive his MBA from BGSU.
“We are really happy for Zach,” BGSU coach Ty Eigner said. “He came into our program this year and made an immediate impact on the blue line for us.
“He is going leave BGSU with his MBA and begin his professional hockey career and we are very proud of him for that.”
