Knoxville Ice Bears

Ice Bears ink more players

date: 09/19/2009

September 19, 2009 – With only 22 days until the start of training camp, the Knoxville Ice Bears’ coaching staff is busy preparing for the players’ arrival. Training camp is a crucial tool in choosing the final 18-man roster; however, the Ice Bears are one step closer after inking two more players to attend training camp. Head coach Marc Rodgers and Assistant Coach KJ Voorhees announced today, they have signed two more forwards, Tom McMonagle and Richard Jodoin.

 

The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) allows up to 30 players at a time during training camp, which will begin for the Ice Bears with physicals on Sunday, October 11th.  The players will be on the ice everyday participating in practices and scrimmages.  Camp will be very demanding on all players, and no one is guaranteed a spot on the team.  The coaching staff will choose the best players, whom they believe will assist the team in having another successful season.  Camp will last ten days, including two exhibition games against the Fayetteville FireAntz, who took Knoxville to game 7 of the finals last season.  Those games will tell a lot about the potential players.  The coaching staff will be making player moves all week, not just on one particular day. 

 

“Our camp will be very exciting, as we believe, not only jobs are at stake, but also how much playing time individuals will receive during the regular season.  If players want to play for Knoxville and be an important key member, they have to prove themselves on a daily basis,” stated Marc Rodgers.

 

Tom McMonagle is a 5’8”, 175 pound center from Glenolden, PA. McMonagle started his hockey career close to home at Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA from 1998 - 2002. During those four seasons, he played 115 games, scored 55 goals and had 58 assists and 96 penalty minutes. McMonagle spent time in several leagues after college, including the Atlantic Coast Hockey League, United Hockey league, South East Hockey League (SEHL), SPHL and ECHL. McMonagle spent the 2003-04 season with the Knoxville Ice Bears when they were part of the SEHL. During his 47 games with the Ice Bears he scored 29 goals and had 19 assists. Tommy has also won a League Championship with the Columbus Cottonmouths of the SPHL.

 

“Tommy is exactly the player that we are looking to add in our line-up to play in Knoxville.  He is proven at this level not only as a scorer, but also as a player with an edge who can keep his opponents frustrated.  He is very eager and willing to prove his desire to play the game after taking a couple of years off, and like myself will except nothing less than another championship,” stated Coach Rodgers.

 

Richard Jodoin is another new player that will make his debut in Knoxville during training camp. The 5’11”, 185 pound forward hails from Vernon, BC. Between 2006 and 2009 Jodoin played for the Powell River Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League, the Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Hockey League and the Estavan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior A Hockey League. During those three seasons, Jodoin played 81 games, scored 36 goals and had 40 assists with 259 penalty minutes.

 

“Richard has proven himself as an extremely physical player at the Junior level of hockey in Canada.  First and foremost, he plays very aggressive and will push opponents around in our small rink.  He does play a physical style of hockey, but at the same time is an offensive player and will get his opportunities to demonstrate his scoring abilities during camp, and during the 2 exhibition games versus Fayetteville,” said Rodgers.

 

The puck will drop on another Knoxville Ice Bears’ season on Friday, October 23 for the Home Opener and Championship Celebration. The defending SPHL champions will play 28 regular season home games at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. Individual tickets will go on sale October 1. For more information on game dates, season tickets and promotional activities, please visit http://www.knoxvilleicebears.com. Call (865) 656-4444 for tickets.

Back