For immediate release
For more information, contact: Joel Silverberg, Director of Broadcasting (865) 525-7825, joel@knoxvilleicebears.com.
The Knoxville Ice Bears have signed two-time All-American defenseman Jack Karlsson for the 2026-27 season. The blue liner signs with Knoxville after spending four years at NCAA Division III Stevenson University.
As a senior last year, Karlsson scored four goals and notched 20 assists in 27 games. He was named to the All-American Second Team by the American Hockey Coaches Association, as well as the MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He earned both of those honors the year prior as a junior when he totaled 18 points off of five goals in 27 games in 2024-25. The Mustangs also won the MAC championship that year. He finished his college career with 63 points in 105 games played and was a First Team All-Conference selection three times.
Prior to college, the Köping, Sweden native spent parts of two seasons playing in the NAHL for New Jersey. He spent several years playing juniors in Sweden and made one appearance in HockeyAllsvenskan.
The Ice Bears open their 25th anniversary season Friday, October 16 at home against Evansville at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.
ABOUT The Knoxville Ice Bears: The Knoxville Ice Bears organization began in 2002 and was an inaugural charter member of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) in 2004. As four-time SPHL Champions and five-time regular season champions, the Ice Bears are an experienced and established organization, offering the city and its visitors a balanced product of highlight-reel hockey, unique and exciting intermission activity and endless fan interaction, presenting the most affordable, family-friendly way to enjoy sports and entertainment. Season, Partial Season and Flex Tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit www.knoxvilleicebears.com or call (865) 525-7825.
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