For immediate release
For more information, contact: Joel Silverberg, Director of Broadcasting (865) 525-7825, joel@knoxvilleicebears.com.
The Knoxville Ice Bears have signed rookie forward Blake Benson for the 2026-27 season. Benson joins Knoxville after wrapping up his collegiate career at Stevenson University, where he spent the past three seasons.
Benson maintained a point-per-game pace during his senior year, scoring 16 goals and adding ten assists for 26 points in 26 games for the Mustangs, earning himself First Team All-Conference honors. He helped lead Stevenson to a conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025 with 17 goals and eight assists while notching an All-Conference nod. Benson totaled a career-high 29 points as a sophomore in 2023-24 while earning All-Conference honors with ten goals and 19 assists. He was a part of Endicott’s conference championship team in 2023 as a freshman.
Prior to college, Benson spent two seasons with the Lone Star Brahmas in the NAHL, appearing in 74 games over that time with 24 career points.
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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