With training camp only one week away, the Ice Bears coaching staff is working diligently on building the best team possible. Head coach Marc Rodgers announced today that they have filled another crucial position by signing defenseman Paul Lynch, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in round 5 #138 of the National Hockey League Entry Draft in 2001.
Paul Lynch started his professional hockey career in the ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) in 2004 with the Johnstown Chiefs. The 6’3”, 220-pound native of Salem, Massachusetts also played for the Charlotte Checkers and the Louisiana IceGators (now a member of the Southern Professional Hockey League) during that season.
After two years off, Lynch came to the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). He only played two games with the Columbus Cottonmouths before coming to the Knoxville Ice Bears. During the 46 games that he played in Knoxville during the 2007-2008 season, Lynch scored one goal, had 18 assists and 121 penalty minutes. His talent on the ice earned him a call-up to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL, where he played 30 games last season.
“Paul is extremely excited to come back to Knoxville after a year of being away. He will not only help physically but he also has great skill on reading plays, moving the puck up to the forwards, and keeping other teams honest in the neutral zone. Lynch has one goal in mind this year, and that is to win. He has expressed to me the urge and drive to feel the excitement of victory again, just has he felt as an Ice Bear in ’07-’08 season. I will give him every opportunity to prove himself to be a top defenseman again at this level,” commented Coach Rodgers.
Another former Ice Bear will also be returning to Knoxville for training camp. Goaltender Jordan Ramstead played in Knoxville on a five-game-tryout during the 2007-2008 season. Ramstead had 120 saves and a save percentage of 89.6% while he was in goal for the Ice Bears
“Ramstead wants to come back to Knoxville, even though he understands that he will have to come in to camp and compete with two other young goalies to stick here. Jordan has shown his love for the game and his willingness to accept any role we might have for him. This was exhibited when he dropped everything to come and help fill a vacant goalie position in 2007-2008. This is the type of player I am excited about having in camp,” said Marc Rodgers.
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