New Knoxville Bench Boss

The Knoxville Ice Bears pick a winner as their new Head Coach.

The search for a new head coach has ended for the Knoxville Ice Bears. The search began after former head coach Scott Hillman resigned on May 31 to take a head coaching job with a Central Hockey League expansion team in Independence, Missouri. The Knoxville Ice Bears have named Marc Rodgers as their new bench boss. The decision to promote Rodgers from assistant coach to head coach was made this week, and will be effectively immediately.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to take over as head coach of the Knoxville Ice Bears. It has been a rewarding experience to be a part of hockey in Knoxville in several different capacities, and I am looking forward to the challenges that this role is going to present,” said Marc Rodgers.

Marc Rodgers has an extensive hockey career that includes several leagues, such as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), ECHL, International Hockey League (IHL), American Hockey League (AHL), Deutsche Eishockey Liga (a German ice hockey league referred to as DEL), National Hockey League (NHL) and the United Hockey League (UHL). He began his playing career as a right wing/center in Granby, Quebec for the Granby Bisons of the QMJHL. Rodgers was there for 3 years and Verdun, Quebec for 1 year, where he won the league championship. He played 11 years of pro hockey, winning two championships with the Utah Grizzlies of the IHL and also for Chicago Wolves in the IHL. Rodgers had a brief stint in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings in 1999-2000 playing 21 games.

He is no stranger to Knoxville. Rodgers was a member of the Knoxville Cherokees (ECHL) during the 1993-94 season, and then came back to play with the Knoxville Speed (UHL) in 2001. He became the assistant coach of the Knoxville Ice Bears in 2006.

“Marc Rodgers has been a common denominator for the Ice Bears during the past three seasons. Much of what he has contributed has been behind-the-scenes, and our fans may not realize what a big role he has played in the success of this organization. It was a difficult decision because we had so many qualified candidates, but I feel that Marc can not only be successful, but make our team better. I am very excited to name him as the fourth head coach of the Knoxville Ice Bears,” commented president and general manager Mike Murray.

Marc is a native of Shawville, Quebec and lives full time with his family of four in Knoxville in the Gibbs community. His wife, Sheridee is from Knoxville and his two children are Dalton (10 years old), born in Adirondack NY, and Garrett (8 years old), born in Knoxville.

Rodgers was one of 36 applicants for the Ice Bears vacant head coaching job. In addition to his assistant coaching duties with the Ice Bears the past 3 years, he's worked full time as a firefighter with Knox County's Rural Metro Fire Department.

Coach Hillman Leaves The Ice Bears

Coach Scott Hillman parts ways with the SPHL Champion Ice Bears to head to the CHL.

The Knoxville Ice Bears announced that head coach Scott Hillman has resigned to become the head coach of a Central Hockey League (CHL) expansion team in Independence, Missouri. Hillman accomplished an amazing feat since coming onboard with the Knoxville Ice Bears. In his first two seasons as a professional bench boss he led the Ice Bears to both the President’s Cup and Coffey Trophy Championships two years in a row. This is a first in the history of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).
A native of LaSalle, Ontario, Canada, Hillman obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Windsor, where he was the captain of the Lancers, an All-Canadian and the highest scoring defenseman in the nation (CIS). Hillman went on to have a successful career in the ECHL, Germany, the WPHL and concluded his career with 8 straight seasons with the Odessa Jackalopes of the CHL. He is the Jackalopes all time leader in games played with 446, second in all time assists with 260 and second in all time scoring with 326 points. He was the player/assistant coach for three years under the direction of Don McKee. During that time, he earned many other accolades, including 3-time team captain of the CHL All-Star team and the CHL Man of the Year for Community Involvement.

Hillman came to Knoxville in September 2007 to replace Jim Bermingham. During the 2007-2008 season, the Knoxville Ice Bears compiled a regular season record of 32-16-4 and a playoff record of 6-2. The team swept the Jacksonville Barracudas to win the league championship. The following year, Hillman’s team ended the regular season with a record of 35-16-9 and a playoff record of 7-5. The Ice Bears defeated the Fayetteville FireAntz to defend their title. Since 2007, nine Ice Bears players have been called up to higher leagues.
Hillman said, “I want to thank Mike Murray and the entire ownership group and the entire staff of the Knoxville Ice Bears for the incredible support. They not only supported me during my two seasons as the Ice Bears head coach, but also through this new opportunity as I move on to a higher level of hockey. They want the Knoxville Ice Bears organization to be successful, but more importantly, they care about every individual involved. I also want to thank the booster club, the season ticket holders and all of the of the amazing Ice Bears fans. Without you, Knoxville would not be the premier place to play hockey in the SPHL.”
“When I brought him here two years ago, I knew he was going to be a great fit. He not only produced results on the ice, but Scott represented our organization well in the community. We are sad to see Scott leave Knoxville and the Knoxville Ice Bears organization; however, we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors,” commented president and general manager Mike Murray.
The Ice Bears will immediately begin an official search to fill the head coach position.
The announcement was made at a press conference at The Knoxville Civic Auditorium. For more information visit www.knoxvilleicebears.com.

SPHL Summer League Meeting

Representatives from all seven teams met in Biloxi, MS for the annual Southern Professional Hockey League summer league meeting.
SPHL Commissioner, Jim Combs has announced 3 additional teams to their line-up for the 2009-2010 season. Pensacola, Lafayette and Biloxi will be joining veteran teams Columbus, Huntsville, Fayetteville and Knoxville to begin regular season in late October 2009. Representatives from Twin Cities were also present to request a one year suspension and give an encouraging update on their current search for a new location.



Newly appointed Chairman of the Board, Mike Murray responds to this years meeting with enthusiasm for the future of the league. “With the addition of the likes of Tim Kerr, Brent Sepergia, Steffon Walby and Todd Gordon, I see our league developing into a much higher standard of play. All teams returning teams will need to work harder and play stronger to compete with these seasoned veterans.”



Newly appointed Vice Chairman, Tim Kerr also leaves the meeting encouraged about his future in the SPHL. “The SPHL has a proven record for success within their markets. I’m looking forward to developing a new team and our fans obviously approve by already getting us half way to our goal of selling over 600 season tickets to date.”



Commissioner Jim Combs says, “The SPHL is a good mix in location, hockey experience and professionalism. The SPHL is a strong, viable league within the Southeast and opens the door for the opportunity for others within our footprint to consider.”



In addition to regular business discussions, the following items were also voted and approved.



- The regular season schedule will stay at 56 games and will be released after July 20th.

- Play off schedule will consist of 6 teams making it to the finals. Play-off schedule will be decided during the winter meetings.

- The league will continue testing a four-official system throughout the year and into the play-offs.

- The formation of a “Competition Committee” to routinely discuss rules of play through out the year.



Wrapping up the meeting were representatives from OT Sport, B2TV and Pointstreak.



For more information visit www.thesphl.com.