Knoxville Ice Bears

Ice Bears secure top goaltender

date: 07/20/2009

July 20, 2009 – The Knoxville Ice Bears head coach Marc Rodgers announced today that he has signed goalie Andrew Gallant for the 2009-2010 season. This is the second player to be secured by the Ice Bears.

A native of Prince Edward Island, 27 year old Gallant played 32 games for the Ice Bears during the 2008-2009 season. At 6-2, 202 pounds Gallant was a solid presence at the net. During his 1883:15 minutes on the ice he had 20 wins, seven loses and one shutout. Andrew Gallant and goalie Kirk Irving were alternated last season, and their talent helped lead the Ice Bears to another Southern Professional Hockey League championship. Gallant also set an SPHL record for the highest save percentage with .924. Chad Collins was the previous record holder with a save percentage of .922.

“I am looking forward to another season in Knoxville. Winning a championship with the Ice Bears was one of the best experiences of my hockey career, and I also enjoyed the city of Knoxville and the fans. I want to go back and help the team in their quest for a three-peat,” said Gallant.

Before coming to the Ice Bears, Gallant was an integral part of Manhattanville College’s hockey team from 2003-2007.   He had 1,620 saves in 70 games during his college career. He’s was between the goalposts of two other pro hockey teams: the Arizona Sundogs of the Central Hockey League and the Elmira Jackals of the East Coast Hockey League before he came to Knoxville.

“I am very happy that Andrew has decided to come back to Knoxville. It is always beneficial to have a goalie who knows how to win within your system. He is skilled enough to play at a higher level, and that skill is going to make our team stronger. I will be expecting a lot out of Gallant this season, but I feel that he is coming back more prepared and determined because he wants to finish what he started last season. His goal was to be the number one goalie in the SPHL; however, he was injured in the playoffs and didn’t have the opportunity to fulfill that goal,” commented Marc Rodgers.

Rodgers will continue to recruit and sign players throughout the off-season. Some new players may come from the free agent camp that the organization will be hosting in August.

For more information visit http://www.knoxvilleicebears.com.

 

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