Former Ice Bear back behind the bench.
The Knoxville Ice Bears announced today that K.J. Voorhees, a former player, is the new assistant coach. The organization looked to fill this position after Marc Rodgers was promoted from assistant to head coach on June 23. Rodgers had been the assistant for three seasons. Voorhees will begin working with Rodgers immediately to prepare for training camp, which is set to begin on Sunday, October 11.
“K.J. will be a great addition to my coaching staff and also a great addition inside our dressing room, some players already know him, so being around us should be a smooth transition. He already knows that I am only looking to win and seems extremely excited for the opportunity to help this organization achieves its goals. He will be a second set of eyes for me, not only behind the bench, but also when I break down video. Every team in this league is gunning for us, and the league will be much better than last year. So having K.J. will be a benefit to our organization,” commented Coach Rodgers.
K.J. Voorhees is a native of Lake Stevens, Washington, but has been a resident of Knoxville for several years. In fact, he came to Knoxville in 2002 to play for the Ice Bears. The 5-10, 190 pound right wing played 223 games for the Ice Bears from 2002 until 2006, during which time the team transitioned through two leagues before finally remaining a part of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) beginning in 2004. Voorhees scored 162 goals, had 165 assists and only 155 penalty minutes as an Ice Bear. His contribution on the ice helped the team win their first SPHL championship during the 2005-2006 season.
Voorhees’ hockey career began in 1995 with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He spent the next four years playing for Colorado College in Colorado Springs. His solid collegiate career helped him obtain a position on an international team in Sweden from 2000 until 2002. After that, he spent one year with the New Mexico Scorpions (Western Professional Hockey League) and one year with the Tacoma Sabercats (West Coast Hockey League).
Since retiring, Voorhees has been an instrumental part of the developing youth hockey in Knoxville. He currently works as the Hockey Director at Cool Sports home of the Icearium. He is responsible for organizing the Knoxville Area Hockey Association (KAHA), which teaches kids from age 4 to 18 the sport of hockey. Voorhees has also been involved with the Thunder Hockey team for the past two years. This is an elite travel hockey program. Last season he was the assistant coach of the 94 Thunder team, which was coached by former Ice Bear Josh Akright, and this year he is the assistant coach of the 95 thunder team, which coached by former NHL player Jim McKenzie.
K.J. stated, “I am very excited to join the coaching staff of the Knoxville Ice Bears. The Ice Bears have established themselves as a perennial powerhouse in the SPHL and I look forward helping Coach Rodgers continue that tradition.
17 August 2009
15 August 2009
Ice Bears Welcome New Faces to the Ice
As the Knoxville Ice Bears prepare for the 2009-10 season, they will be evaluating some new players and re-evaluating some familiar faces.
Head coach Marc Rodgers has extended try-out agreements to Glenn Cacaro, Dan Earls, Adam Larsen and Chris Hollens. These players will participate in training camp, which begins Monday, October 12, in an attempt to be awarded a spot on the Ice Bears final roster. The Southern Professional Hockey League allows each team to bring 30 players to training camp before submitting an 18-man roster.
Ice Bears fans may remember Glenn Cacaro. The 6-foot, 190 pound defenseman was signed to a three-game try-out last season, and then Knoxville signed him for an additional two games. Prior to coming to the Ice Bears, Cacaro played for Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts from 2005-2009. During that time, he played 110 games, scored six goals, had 17 assists and 243 penalty minutes. Cacaro is the first person born in South Dakota to play hockey in the professional ranks.
Goalie Dan Earles attended the Knoxville Ice Bears training last season, and made the final goalie cut very difficult for the coaching staff. Even though the Ice Bears decided to go with two seasoned players, Kirk Irving and Andrew Gallant, instead of a rookie, Earles is talented. While playing at North Country Community College, he was ranked at the top of the NJCAA in goaltending statistics. He also had a stellar career in the junior hockey when he played for the Penetang Kings.
“I have seen Cacaro and Earles in action. I was pleased with Glenn’s performance when he was with us at the end of last season. I expect him to exceed that level of play. And, if he does, he will make a great addition to our defensive unit. Earles showed maturity, poise and consistency in the net during the 2008 training camp. With Kirk Irving retiring, Earles may be a great fit for our second goalie spot,” commented Rodgers.
Adam Larsen is a native of Port Moody, British Columbia. The 6-1, 210 pound forward played for the Selkirk Steelers in the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League (MJHL) last season. During 54 games, Larsen scored 13 goals, had seven assists and 94 penalty minutes. Reportedly, Larsen is a good skater, a hard hitter, and will chip in goals. Adam is a competitor, willing to do mix it up when needed. He will bring a physical component to our team and I believe opponents will have to keep an eye on him every time he is on the ice.
Center Chris Hollens has played hockey at several different levels since 2000, including the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League, Maritime Junior A Hockey League, Atlantic Coast Hockey League, United Hockey League, and most recently with Portage College of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. While at Portage, he played 26 games, scored five goals and had seven assists and 18 penalty minutes.
Marc Rodgers said, “Even though Larsen and Hollens will both have to prove themselves during training camp, I am looking for them to bring more physicality to the team. This is especially true of Adam. Our team is going to have to play intense hockey the entire season to compete with the new teams and the new talent that they will bring to the Southern Professional Hockey League.”
Head coach Marc Rodgers has extended try-out agreements to Glenn Cacaro, Dan Earls, Adam Larsen and Chris Hollens. These players will participate in training camp, which begins Monday, October 12, in an attempt to be awarded a spot on the Ice Bears final roster. The Southern Professional Hockey League allows each team to bring 30 players to training camp before submitting an 18-man roster.
Ice Bears fans may remember Glenn Cacaro. The 6-foot, 190 pound defenseman was signed to a three-game try-out last season, and then Knoxville signed him for an additional two games. Prior to coming to the Ice Bears, Cacaro played for Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts from 2005-2009. During that time, he played 110 games, scored six goals, had 17 assists and 243 penalty minutes. Cacaro is the first person born in South Dakota to play hockey in the professional ranks.
Goalie Dan Earles attended the Knoxville Ice Bears training last season, and made the final goalie cut very difficult for the coaching staff. Even though the Ice Bears decided to go with two seasoned players, Kirk Irving and Andrew Gallant, instead of a rookie, Earles is talented. While playing at North Country Community College, he was ranked at the top of the NJCAA in goaltending statistics. He also had a stellar career in the junior hockey when he played for the Penetang Kings.
“I have seen Cacaro and Earles in action. I was pleased with Glenn’s performance when he was with us at the end of last season. I expect him to exceed that level of play. And, if he does, he will make a great addition to our defensive unit. Earles showed maturity, poise and consistency in the net during the 2008 training camp. With Kirk Irving retiring, Earles may be a great fit for our second goalie spot,” commented Rodgers.
Adam Larsen is a native of Port Moody, British Columbia. The 6-1, 210 pound forward played for the Selkirk Steelers in the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League (MJHL) last season. During 54 games, Larsen scored 13 goals, had seven assists and 94 penalty minutes. Reportedly, Larsen is a good skater, a hard hitter, and will chip in goals. Adam is a competitor, willing to do mix it up when needed. He will bring a physical component to our team and I believe opponents will have to keep an eye on him every time he is on the ice.
Center Chris Hollens has played hockey at several different levels since 2000, including the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League, Maritime Junior A Hockey League, Atlantic Coast Hockey League, United Hockey League, and most recently with Portage College of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. While at Portage, he played 26 games, scored five goals and had seven assists and 18 penalty minutes.
Marc Rodgers said, “Even though Larsen and Hollens will both have to prove themselves during training camp, I am looking for them to bring more physicality to the team. This is especially true of Adam. Our team is going to have to play intense hockey the entire season to compete with the new teams and the new talent that they will bring to the Southern Professional Hockey League.”
03 August 2009
Ice Bears Choose Vets for Upcoming season
With seven players reaching veteran status by the end of last season and only three vets allowed on the roster, the Ice Bears had some some tough decisions
Knoxville Ice Bears head coach Marc Rodgers announced that the team has filled the veteran positions with returning players. The SPHL allows three veteran players, ones that have played more than 224 professional games, per team. Captain Kevin Swider, defensemen Kevin Harris and Chris Brannen will fill those positions for Knoxville.
“Choosing the veteran players was a difficult decision because we had several talented players to choose from. So many players want to play for a championship team, so as a head coach, I have to evaluate several factors when filling the vet spots. It is a crucial decision for the success of the team. As a result, Mike Carter, Justin Keller and J.J. Wrobel will not be returning,” commented Coach Rodgers. All three players bring experience and leadership within our organization. They not only help us on the ice but also off the ice in teaching young players how to be real professionals. The city of Knoxville and the Ice Bears are extremely privileged to have these players wanting to stay in Knoxville as they could all play at higher levels. This says a great deal about their character. And that is why I wanted them by my side in our attempt to defend our Championships.
Kevin Swider is in his eighth season with the Knoxville Ice Bears, during which time he has been a dominant 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 is a winner, and is determination makes other people around him way better. That is very hard to do at any level. I expect great things from Kevin again this season as he does also.
Defenseman Kevin Harris will be starting his third season in Knoxville. The 5-11, 210 pound Manitoba native has helped strengthen the Ice Bears defense with an impressive plus/minus average of +48. In 127 games he has scored 22 goals and had 68 assists. Before coming to Knoxville, Harris had an extensive playing career in several other leagues, including the Central Hockey League, International Hockey league and ECHL. Kevin and his wife have falling in love with Knoxville and the Ice Bears organization. Kevin has showed that he could be an elite player at this level and I will expect nothing less from him this upcoming season.
The third veteran spot will be filled by defenseman Chris Brannen, who came to the Ice Bears partway through last season. Until that time, his professional hockey career was based in the Central Hockey League. He played for the Topeka Tarantulas, Odessa Jackalopes and Rocky Mountain Rage. Brannen then came to Knoxville and played 50 games. During that time, he scored three goals, had ten assists and ended the season with a plus/minus of +17.
“I am happy to be returning to Knoxville. I am not one of the most flashy or physical players on the ice. It’s just not my style. My strength is in anticipating the opponent’s moves, and making our defense stronger. In the past, Knoxville has been typically known for its offensive prowess, but their defense has often needed to be further developed. That’s where I fit into the puzzle,” said Brannen.
Chris is not only a great player on the ice, he is a great leader in the dressing. The level of play he brings to this league and this team blows me away. When the game is on the line he will do whatever it takes to win and again that just shows me what kind of character player Chris is for us.
Knoxville Ice Bears head coach Marc Rodgers announced that the team has filled the veteran positions with returning players. The SPHL allows three veteran players, ones that have played more than 224 professional games, per team. Captain Kevin Swider, defensemen Kevin Harris and Chris Brannen will fill those positions for Knoxville.
“Choosing the veteran players was a difficult decision because we had several talented players to choose from. So many players want to play for a championship team, so as a head coach, I have to evaluate several factors when filling the vet spots. It is a crucial decision for the success of the team. As a result, Mike Carter, Justin Keller and J.J. Wrobel will not be returning,” commented Coach Rodgers. All three players bring experience and leadership within our organization. They not only help us on the ice but also off the ice in teaching young players how to be real professionals. The city of Knoxville and the Ice Bears are extremely privileged to have these players wanting to stay in Knoxville as they could all play at higher levels. This says a great deal about their character. And that is why I wanted them by my side in our attempt to defend our Championships.
Kevin Swider is in his eighth season with the Knoxville Ice Bears, during which time he has been a dominant 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 is a winner, and is determination makes other people around him way better. That is very hard to do at any level. I expect great things from Kevin again this season as he does also.
Defenseman Kevin Harris will be starting his third season in Knoxville. The 5-11, 210 pound Manitoba native has helped strengthen the Ice Bears defense with an impressive plus/minus average of +48. In 127 games he has scored 22 goals and had 68 assists. Before coming to Knoxville, Harris had an extensive playing career in several other leagues, including the Central Hockey League, International Hockey league and ECHL. Kevin and his wife have falling in love with Knoxville and the Ice Bears organization. Kevin has showed that he could be an elite player at this level and I will expect nothing less from him this upcoming season.
The third veteran spot will be filled by defenseman Chris Brannen, who came to the Ice Bears partway through last season. Until that time, his professional hockey career was based in the Central Hockey League. He played for the Topeka Tarantulas, Odessa Jackalopes and Rocky Mountain Rage. Brannen then came to Knoxville and played 50 games. During that time, he scored three goals, had ten assists and ended the season with a plus/minus of +17.
“I am happy to be returning to Knoxville. I am not one of the most flashy or physical players on the ice. It’s just not my style. My strength is in anticipating the opponent’s moves, and making our defense stronger. In the past, Knoxville has been typically known for its offensive prowess, but their defense has often needed to be further developed. That’s where I fit into the puzzle,” said Brannen.
Chris is not only a great player on the ice, he is a great leader in the dressing. The level of play he brings to this league and this team blows me away. When the game is on the line he will do whatever it takes to win and again that just shows me what kind of character player Chris is for us.
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