Former ECHL veteran and championship-winning coach Jesse Messier takes the helm, bringing a decade of experience and championship pedigree to Indy’s pursuit of the Kelly Cup.
The Indy Fuel announced this afternoon their head coach for the 2026-2027 season. Jesse Messier will be the fifth coach in franchise history.
Messier previously played in the OHL, NCAA and ECHL. He played 60 ECHL games with the Toledo Walleye and Allen Americans, recording 17 points on six goals and 11 assists. At York University, he was a three-time team MVP and captain and finished among the top 10 scorers in program history.
He joins the Fuel after serving as the assistant coach for Bloomington the past two years. His coaching experience goes back a decade, also being behind the bench for York, the Saginaw Spirit and Kam River Fighting Walleye.
At York University, Messier helped the program capture the 2017 Queen’s Cup championship. York posted a 63-37-12 regular-season record and a 13-9 playoff mark during his tenure.
His most notable head-coaching experience came with the Kam River Fighting Walleye during the 2023-24 season. Messier guided the club to a 39-9-1 record, a regular-season championship and a league-final appearance. Kam River finished first in the league in both offense and power-play efficiency while ranking third on the penalty kill.
We are excited to welcome Jesse as the next Head Coach of the Indy Fuel. Jesse has spent his career developing players and building winning hockey teams. He knows this league, understands what it takes to win and shares our expectations for what the Indy Fuel should be.
Messier could be a great fit for the Fuel. With experience in many different leagues and a decent track record, Indy could have a successful season. According to Messier, he is ready to fight for the Kelly Cup this season.
I am incredibly grateful to Jim and Sean Hallett for the opportunity to lead the Indy Fuel. This is an organization with high expectations and a passionate fan base. I’m excited to get to Indianapolis, get to work with our players and staff, and build a team that competes every night with the goal of bringing a championship to our fans.
Messier will be put to the test in October when the season starts. Puck drop for the home opener against Wheeling is October 16th at 7:15 PM.
