News Archive
News Items are Archived Here.
Norma Jean Purvis
August 24, 1942 - July 24, 2020
We have some sad news to share with members. Jean Purvis, a long-time Booster Club member, passed away July 24. She was a founding member of the Booster Club and a long time treasurer.
Please keep her husband Jim and the Purvis family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
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Family will receive friends 1-2 pm Sunday August 2, 2020, at Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel, with a service to celebrate Jean’s life to follow at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.
How About a Saturday Morning Signing?
October 24, 2020
The Ice Bears have added big productive winger Taeron Lewis from NCAA DIII powerhouse Norwich University! 2019/20 season with the Norwich Cadets: 27 games | 12 goals | 13 assists | +28 |
Welcome to Knoxville, Taeron!
Another Weapon Added to the Arsenal!
October 23, 2020
Mitch Slattery has signed for the Bears for the 2020/21 season after a 3-season playing career at Northern Michigan University (NCAA D1)!
Welcome to Knoxville, Mitch!
Knoxville has Added the Skill, now the Toughness!
October 21, 2020
Roanoke captain Travis Armstrong is an Ice Bear for the 2020/21 season! 2019/20 season with Roanoke: 46 games | 6 goals | 16 assists | 106 penalty minutes |
Welcome to Knoxville, Travis!
And the Bears keep Rolllllllling!
October 20, 2020
The Ice Bears have signed reigning SPHL MVP Austin Plevy for the 2020/21 season! 2019/20 season with Evansville: 45 games | 18 goals | 48 assists | 65 points | +14 | SPHL Leading Scorer. SPHL Rookie of the Year. SPHL MVP. Let's Go Ice Bears!
Mark Another One Down for the Bears!
October 19, 2020
High scoring forward Connor Fries is an Ice Bear for the 2020/21 season! 2019/20 season with Quad City: 37 games | 12 goals | 14 assists | 26 points |
+19 |
Welcome to Knoxville, Connor!
Signed. Sealed. Delivered!
October 16, 2020
Knoxville has inked goaltender Jeremy Brodeur for the 2020-21 season! Jeremy is the son of NHL Legend and Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur!
Welcome Jeremy!
Bears Ink Tough Guy Noah Corson!
October 15, 2020
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The son of NHL veteran tough guy Shayne Corson is an Ice Bear for the 2020-21 season! In 19 games last season with Evansville, Noah logged 8 goals, 8 assists, and 71 penalty minutes!
Ice Bears Release Schedule.
October 12, 2020
Here is your full 2020-21 schedule! Opening Night is New Years Eve vs The Macon Mayhem, with puck drop scheduled for 6:00pm. Full Schedule at the link below.
SPHL Announces Abbreviated Season.
October 6, 2020
The SPHL announced today that the 2020-21 season will be comprised of 5 teams and a 42-game regular season. Birmingham, Huntsville, Knoxville, Macon, and Pensacola will kick things off December 26.
Pietrantonio to Return!
September 23, 2020
Tough right winger Josh Pietrantonio is set to return this year. Always a force in front of the net, Pietrantonio is one of the reasons the Ice Bears are the team to beat.
Welcome back Petro!
Ross Back for Year Two!
September 10, 2020
The Ice bears announced today that defenceman Tucker Ross will be back for a second tour of duty in Knoxvilile. Always a scoring threat from the point, Ross is yet another great add on defense for the Bears.
J. B. Baker back where he left off!
September 10, 2020
The Ice bears announced today that J. B. Baker has been resigned for 2020-21. A forward, J. B. played one away game for the Bears last season before Covid cut things short. Welcome back J. B.!
Brancik to return for Year 4!
August 25, 2020
Now one of the oldtimers. defenceman David Bracik is set to start season 4 in Knoxville. A fan favorite, Branch is another tough player who will bolster what is shaping up to be a salty defense.
Fleurent Still an Ice Bear!
August 25, 2020
The Ice Bears have re-signed forward Brady Fleurent. Off a strong start in Knoxville last yrear, Brady spent most of 2020 in the ECHL. We're glad he's back for another year as an Ice Bear.
Sargis Inks Return!
August 13, 2020
All SPHL player Gehrett Sargis will be back for year 3 in Knoxville. Versatile on both offense and defense, Sargis looks to add scoring punch as well as defensive prowess. Look for big things from Sarge.
Murdaca's Back in Goal!
August 13, 2020
Coach Carr announced during the Live Merch Sale tonight that Goalie Joe Murdaca is headed back to Knoxville. An All Rookie performer last year, Murdaca will anchor the D in goal. Welcome back Doc!
Carlson Re-Signed!
August 10, 2020
Coach Carr announced today that Alex Carlson has re-signed for 2020-21. A tough guy that clears out the front of the net on D, coach will be looking for a little more offense from him this year. Welcome back Carly!
Locked and Loaded on D!
August 5, 2020
Pierre Ouellette is headed back to Knoxville for year 2. With toughness and durability, Ouellette is a stalwart on D. Can't wait to see big things from him!
SPHL Delays Start of Season.
July 28, 2020
The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) today announced that it is targeting mid-to-late December for the start of the 2020-2021 regular season.
The 'Stache is Back!
July 20, 2020
The Ice Bears have signed veteran Stefan Brucato for his fourth season in Knoxville. One of the hardest working players in the SPHL, Bru is hoping to bring home a championship. Glad he's back for another year!
Cuthrell Back for Season 3!
July 15, 2020
Coach Carr announced today that Center Scott Cuthrell is back for season 3 in Knoxville. Coming off a 50 point season last year, expect big things out of Cuthrell in 2020-21.
Welcome back Scotty!
Bears Sign Colton McCarthy!
July 8, 2020
Center Colton McCarthy joins the bears after 4 years at Southern Alberta Institute of Technolgy.
Welcome to Knoxville Colton!
Zane Schartz Signed!
June 30, 2020
Today Jeff Carr annouced the first player signing of the new season. Zane Schartz comes to Knoxville after splitting the 2019-20 season between Hungary and the Orlando Solar Bears. Welcome aboard Zane!
Officer Election
May 14, 2020
The new Booster Club Officers for 2020-2021 are David Allen, President; Michelle Lopshire, Vice President; Stephanie Miller Denton, Secretary; and Heather
Terry, Treasurer. Thanks to Outgoing Officers Loretta Cravens and Toni Pipkin Carroll.
Jamboree Canceled
May 14, 2020
ECHL & SPHL Booster Club Jamboree announced today that the Jamboree scheduled for July 31, 2020 through August 2, 2020 has been canceled due to Covid-19 concerns. The next Jamboree is in Kalamazoo in 2021.
SPHL Cancels Season
March 15, 2020
The Southern Professional Hockey League announced today that it has canceled the remainder of the 2019-2020 regular season and playoffs. More details here and at the link.
SPHL Suspends Season
March 12, 2020
The Southern Professional Hockey League today announced that due to concerns over the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, it has suspended the 2019-2020 season effective immediately. More details here and at the link.
Dinner With the Players Canceled
March 12, 2020
Boosters President Loretta Cravens announced today that our March Dinner with the players has been canceled due to concerns over Covid-19. No new date has been been announced.
Cesarz Announces Retirement
March 5, 2020
Former Ice Bear Danny Cesarz announced his retirement today from the Macon Mayhem. Cesarz was one of the most popular Ice Bears players during his 3 plus seasons in Knoxville. The announcement comes on the heals of a donnybrook against his former team in Knoxville on February 28. Read more here or at the link.
Latest Game Photos:
Bears upend Mayhem
March 3, 2020
Here are the latest game photos from the Ice Bears' gritty win over the Macon Mayhem on February 28, 2020. Dwyer Tschantz was suspended one game for this body slam of former Ice Bear Danny Cesarz. It happened near the end of a hard fought game in which the Ice Bears prevailed 2-1.
ECHL & SPHL Booster Club Jamboree
March 2, 2020
The 32nd ECHL & SPHL Booster Club Jamboree will be held in Gatlinburg, TN July 31-Aug 2 at the Edgewater Hotel and Conference Center. Share with others in your club/other clubs! If you would like to be on the email group, check out the Jamboree Facebook Page to ensure you stay up to date!
Game Photos:
Ice Bears v Marksmen
February 29, 2020
Here are the game photos from the tough 2-3 OT loss to the Marksmen on February 22, 2020: Nautical Night and the Booster Club Basket Auction.
February 26, 2020
David Brancik was placed on 21 day IR on February 24. Bryce Nielsen returned from loan to ECHL Worcester on February 26. Get better soon David and welcome back Bryce!
Player Transactions:
McVeigh and Pommerville
February 24, 2020
Anthony McVeigh (C) was loaned to ECHL Newfoundland on 02-17-20 and then to ECHL Orlando on 02-23-20. Alex Pommerville (F) was signed to a standard player contract on February 19, 2020. Good luck Anthony and welcome to Knoxville Alex! Updated March 2: McVeigh back from Orlando!
March Dinner With the Players
February 24, 2020
Our March Dinner with the players has been confirmed for 5:00 pm March 15 at the Scottish Rites Temple. See Upcoming Events for more details.
February Booster Club Meeting
February 23, 2020
Location: Cinebarre Movie Theater VIP Room, West Town Mall. This was an outstanding venue for our meeting. The meeting room is spacious and the food and service were great. Thanks to Cinebarre for hosting us!
Warm Up Jersey Auction
February 23, 2020
The Booster Club Jerseys will be auctioned after the game with the Birmingham Bulls on March 27, 2020. Don't get left behind! Be sure to bid high and often for these one-of-a kind jerseys!
Booster Club Calendars SOLD OUT!
February 23, 2020
Beautiful Booster Club Calendars for 2020 are no longer available. New calendars will be back next year bigger and better than ever!
Officer Transitions:
Purvis and Moore
February 22, 2020
Longtime Webmaster Jim Purvis has become Webmaster Emeritus. We thank Jim for his many years of service to the Club. Dan Moore has agreed to take over as Webmaster. If you are reading this, the new website is up. We would appreciate any feedback on the new look.
Update on Jersey Auction and Raffle
Ice Bears Nation, the Warm Up Jersey Auctions Start tomorrow evening!!! Thursday 6/11/2020 @ 9pm!! Go to here for more information and to bid. Remember to bid early and often. Go Ice Bears!
Here are the details...
At the start of each auction a picture of the jersey with player's name and number and the size of the jersey will be posted. All bidding starts at $200, with a minimum $10 increments. Bids are made by commenting on the post of the jersey you are bidding on. The bidding will go on for 2 days with the final bid accepted at 8:59:59pm on the evening the bidding closes. The winner will be contacted by private message to get an email address to be sent an invoice. The Jersey will ship when payment is received. Good Luck!
Statement by Mike Murray
