The Knoxville Ice Bears announced today that Kevin Swider will be returning to the team for the 2009-10 season, after some speculation that he may retire. Swider has been a driving force behind the success of the Ice Bears.Swider is in his 8th season with the Knoxville Ice Bears, during which time he has been a positive force on and off the ice. The young talent from Livonia, Michigan started his professional hockey career in the United Hockey League (UHL), where he played for two seasons. Swider’s first experience in Knoxville was in 2002, when the team was part of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL). The next couple of seasons, Swider played for various teams in the World Hockey League Association 2 (WHA2), ECHL, and Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), including the Knoxville Ice Bears.
Swider was named team captain of the Ice Bears in 2006. During his time in Knoxville, he has played in 301 games, scored 193 goals and accumulated 348 assists. Swider has led the SPHL in scoring since the league’s inception five seasons ago, and he has been a part of all three championship teams.
Kevin Swider has received many accolades commending his play on the ice. THE HOCKEY NEWS 60th Anniversary Issue listed top hockey players over the years. Even in the SPHL’s short existence, Kevin Swider was listed as the #1 player in the league.
Swider has also been recognized as the Sher-Wood Player of the Month for November 2007, March 2008 and December 2008 in the SPHL, and he was the recipient of the Sher-Wood Player of the Week on October 29, 2008.
“We are very fortunate to have Kevin be a constant on our team. It is rare that players stay with one team for any length of time in developmental leagues, especially someone as talented as he is. However, a large part of that is due to this great city and our fans. Kevin is a champion, he not only is great on the ice but also off the ice with players and fans. He is the first step for this organization in achieving our goal for this upcoming season, and that is to make it a three-peat,” remarked head coach Marc Rodgers.
