Knoxville Ice Bears

Knoxville Ice Bears sign Bulawka and Johnston

date: 08/31/2009

August 31, 2009 – As the defending Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) champions prepare to begin another season, Knoxville Ice Bears’ head coach Marc Rodgers has been focusing on building an experienced, physical team. Rodgers is hoping that his latest additions will help him accomplish this goal. 

 

The team signed Mike Bulawka and Randy Johnston earlier this week. Bulawka is a 6’3”, 210 pound forward from Red Lake, Ontario who has played in four leagues since 2001. He began his career with the Port Hope Predators of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL) for one season before moving on to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).  In 2005 Bulawka began playing for South Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). During his three seasons there, he played 55 games, scored 13 goals, had 11 assists and 183 penalty minutes. In 2008, Bulawka was recruited by the Rocky Mountain Rage of the Central Hockey League (CHL). In 56 games with Rocky Mountain he scored nine points and had 73 penalty minutes.

 

Rodgers stated, “I am bringing in Mike to be a big body on the forecheck, in front of the opponent’s net, and toughness in our lineup.  Mike has a Master’s in engineering, this shows his commitment to excellence and the kind of character that I expect in my dressing room”

 

Randy Johnston is also a forward from New Market, Ontario who has primarily played in the OPJHL. The 5’11”, 170 pound forward started with the Stouffville Spirit in 2003. Between 2003 and 2008, Johnston played 192 games, scored 116 goals, had 121 assists and 113 penalty minutes for the Spirit. However, he played three of those seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

 

“Randy is coming to camp because he is a power player specialist who loves to shoot the puck.  He has been on our radar for a few years and I am extremely pleased that we were able to come to an agreement to get Randy to Knoxville,” commented Marc 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.

 

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