Roster Changes around the SPHL

In what looks like a last ditch effort to win at all costs, the Knoxville Ice Bears have made significant roster changes, most notably putting David Segal (C) on 30-day Injured Reserved, signing John Halverson (D), signing Darcy Rees (D), signing Kyle Bochek (C) and releasing Rich Zalewaski (D).   Here  is a list of the latest transactions around the SPHL.

TEAM	DATE	TRANSACTION
Knoxville	03/20/10	Rees, Darcy (D) signed contract
Knoxville	03/20/10	Segal, David (C) placed on 30 day IR
Knoxville	03/19/10	Rees, Darcy (D) released
Mississippi	03/19/10	Bieber, Jeff (D) waived
Mississippi	03/19/10	Klaren, Nick (D) assigned by South Carolina (ECHL)
Huntsville	03/18/10	Myers, Chris (F) waived
Huntsville	03/18/10	Hartinger, Vladimir (D) signed contract
Columbus	03/17/10	McMonagle, Tom (F) waived
Columbus	03/17/10	Upton, Tom (D) signed 3 game tryout
Columbus	03/17/10	Moore, Daryl (LW) claimed off waivers
Knoxville	03/17/10	Zalewski, Rich (D) waived
Knoxville	03/17/10	Halverson, John (D) signed contract
Louisiana	03/16/10	Moore, Daryl (F) waived
Mississippi	03/16/10	Senft, Ryan (G) waived
Mississippi	03/16/10	Senft, Ryan (G) activated from IR
Mississippi	03/16/10	Moor, Daryl (D) activated from IR
Mississippi	03/16/10	Moor, Daryl (D) waived
Pensacola	03/16/10	Hill, Jason (RW) signed contract
Pensacola	03/16/10	Barr, Tyler (RW) placed on 30 day IR
Louisiana	03/13/10	Hamilton, Jason (D) waived

Photos from last weekend's games

I thought I would grab a couple of photos from team photographer Jim Purvis so you can see some of the action that took place during the two home games against the Fayetteville FireAntz last weekend. 

The boys played great- especially team captain Kevin Swider.  Swider had four goals in the game Saturday.  Unbelievable.  It was quite the statement to the FireAntz and the rest of the league that Knoxville wants to win the President's Cup again- and bad.

You can find lots of amazing game photos on Jim's website, http://www.wknox.net/pic/.

Segal Suspended Two Games

CHARLOTTE, NC - The SPHL announced that Knoxville forward David Segal has been suspended two games as a result of his actions during SPHL Game #175 against Fayetteville on March 13.

 

At 5:39 of the second period, Segal was assessed a game misconduct under Rule 40.5, Verbal Abuse of Officials.  The game misconduct was Segal’s fifth of the season, resulting in the automatic two-game suspension for accumulated game misconducts.

Segal will miss Knoxville’s games at Columbus on March 18 and at Fayetteville on March 19.

Ice Bears roster changes

On tonight's Coach's Show, Coach Rodgers mentioned recent roster changes, namely the release of Donald Melnyck. He also mentioned two new players on their way to Knoxville on 3-game tryouts. These two guys are Darcy Rees and Kyle Bochek. See stats below. Should be interesting watching these two in action this weekend.

Darcy Rees
Defense
Born May 8 1988 -- Kingston, ONT
Height 6.05 -- Weight 195 -- Shoots L

                                                                     --- Regular Season ---        ---- Playoffs ----
Season      Team                              Lge          GP  G  A  Pts  PIM      GP  G  A  Pts  PIM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006-07    Gatineau Olympiques    QMJHL   14   0   1    1      6          --   --  --    --    --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kyle Bochek
Center
Born Mar 11 1988 -- Port Severn, ONT
Height 6.00 -- Weight 195 -- Shoots L


                                                                     --- Regular Season ---         ---- Playoffs ----
Season      Team                            Lge        GP   G   A   Pts   PIM        GP  G  A  Pts  PIM
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005-06     Milton Icehawks         OPJHL   20    2   3     5      44
2005-06     Collingwood Blues     OPJHL   19    3   1     4      19
2006-07     Kingston Frontenacs   OHL      51    7   7     14     67          5    2   0    2      4
2007-08     Kingston Frontenacs   OHL      54   10  10    20     90          --  --  --    --     --
2008-09     Kingston Frontenacs   OHL      1      0    0      0       0           --  --  --    --     --
2008-09     Saginaw Spirit             OHL     66    16   7     23   113          8   3  2    5      4
2009-10     Missouri Mavericks*   CHL    18      2    1      3     2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No longer on active roster. Current statistics as of 2010-03-08

Knoxville Hockey Legends Take to the Ice this Saturday

Ever wonder what happened to your favorite former Knoxville hockey player?

Ray’s ESG and WIMZ present Legends Night on Saturday, March 13, 2010.  Knoxville hockey legends take on the University of Tennessee hockey team at 5 p.m., before the Knoxville Ice Bears game at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

Legends Night is dedicated to those hockey greats that have played in Knoxville and helped the sport become a vital part of the Knoxville community.

The Legends roster is as follows:

Chad Thompson - Knoxville Cherokees/Speed


Mike Murray - Knoxville Cherokees


Marc Rodgers - Knoxville Cherokees


K.J. Voorhees - Knoxville Ice Bears


Carl LeBlanc - Knoxville Cherokees


Sean Mangan - Knoxville Cherokees


Steve Ryding - Knoxville Cherokees


Patrick Noiseux - Knoxville Cherokees/Speed


J.J. Wrobel - Knoxville Ice Bears


Scott Holtzman - Knoxville Ice BearsPublish Post


Tim Sinasac - Knoxville Speed


Jeff Lindsay - Knoxville Cherokees/Speed


John Van Dale - Knoxville Cherokees


Dave Feather - University of Tennessee


Brad Courteau - Knoxville Cherokees


Rob Miller - Knoxville Ice Bears


Don LaBelle - Knoxville Knights


Jeff Dudych - Knoxville Speed

  

The Knoxville Ice Bears faceoff against the Fayetteville FireAntz after the Legends game.  Regular game tickets include both matchups.

Jerseys worn by the Legends players will be auctioned off in a silent auction during the Ice Bears game.

A postgame party at Rays ESG caps this special evening with both the Legends and current Ice Bears players.

Tickets are available by calling (865) 525-PUCK or online at http://www.knoxvilleicebears.com.

Ice Bears' Swider named Sher-Wood SPHL Player of the Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Doug Price

 Phone:  (704) 919-3471 

dprice@thesphl.com 

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 2, 2010) – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) today announced Kevin Swider of the Knoxville Ice Bears is the Sher-Wood SPHL Player of the Week for February 22-28.

Swider, a two-time league MVP, scored five goals and added six assists the Ice Bears went 2-2 for the week.

On Tuesday, the Livonia, MI native scored three times on the man-advantage, but it was not enough as the Ice Bears dropped a 7-5 decision to Louisiana.  Swider gained a measure of revenge against the IceGators on Thursday, assisting on five of Knoxville’s 10 goals in a 10-4 rout of Louisiana.  The SPHL’s all-time leading scorer continued his scoring ways on Friday, netting one goal and setting up another in a 6-3 win at Pensacola.  Swider finished the week by scoring his fourth power-play goal of the week in a 3-2 loss to Columbus.

Swider, who played his collegiate hockey at Ferris State (MI) University, never finished lower than third in team scoring during his four-year career and led the Bulldogs in scoring his senior season.  Also named SPHL Player of the Week for January 11-17, Swider is currently second in scoring with 72 points.  His five goals last week pushed his total to 32, marking the sixth straight season Swider has scored 30 or more goals.

Also Nominated: Jesse Cole, Columbus (4 gp, 4g, 1a, 2 ppg), Michael Richard, Mississippi (3 gp, 4g, 1a, 1 ppg) and Chris Rebernik, Pensacola (4 gp, 5g, 1 ppg, 1 shg, 1 gwg, hat trick)

When the walls come tumbling down

Not exactly a wall, but the plexiglass in front of the 

goal judge on the Zamboni side of the ice.

If any of you where at the Knoxville Ice Bears game last Saturday, you may have wondered why play had to be stopped about 10 minutes into the first period.  

Well, you can thank Donald Melnyck for the break- literally.  Seems he has one hell of a slapshot.  

The plexiglass in front of the goal judge on the Zamboni side of the ice had one massive crack in it and the referee determined it was unsafe to continue the game.  Good thing, too, because as soon as they got the glass on the ground it broke into very large, very sharp shards of glass.  One big hit, and someone would be in serious trouble.  

The broken glass just added to the excitement of the evening.  Miss Ice Bear was crowned- two of them. One for best dressed and one in the bikini category.  I can honestly say I am glad that is over, even though I really didn't have anything to do with it nor did I have to watch any of it.  I did, however, partake in the celebratory drinking at Rays ESG after the game.  Just wish we were celebrating a win.

Big break in the schedule and then it is just a few games until the playoffs.  I can't wait!