Knoxville Icebears

Swider named Sher-Wood Player of the Week

Knoxville Ice Bears captain Kevin Swider was named the Sher-Wood Player of the Week for the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) on November 3, 2008. 

Knoxville Ice Bears captain Kevin Swider was named the Sher-Wood Player of the Week for the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) on November 3, 2008. Swider has received this award several times in the past, but continues to be rewarded for his contributions on the ice. Swider scored one goal and had six assists in three games last week.

Swider is in his 7th season with the Knoxville Ice Bears, during which time he has been a positive 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 266 games, scored 183 goals and accumulated 299 assists. Swider has led the SPHL in scoring since the league's inception four seasons ago.

Kevin Swider continues to receive accolades commending his play on the ice. THE HOCKEY NEWS 60th Anniversary Issue listed top hockey players over the years. Even in the SPHL's short existence, Kevin Swider was listed as the #1 player in the league.

Swider was also recognized as the Sher-Wood Player of the Month for November 2007 and March 2008 in the SPHL, and he was the recipient of the Sher-Wood Player of the Week on October 29, 2007.

"We are very happy to have Kevin back in our line up this season. He continues to amaze and compliment those around him. We look forward to his leadership in defending our championship title ," said president and general manager Mike Murray.

The Knoxville Ice Bears will return home on Friday November 14 for Bike Night presented by Knoxville Harley Davidson and WIMZ. The Knoxville Ice Bears organization encourages all fans to bring teddy bears to the game to contribute to the "Teddy Bear Toss," in which teddy bears are collected for patients at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. For more information visit http://www.knoxvilleicebears.com.