For immediate release

For more information, contact: Joel Silverberg, Director of Broadcasting (865) 525-7825, joel@knoxvilleicebears.com.

The Knoxville Ice Bears return a pair of key contributors from last season’s President’s Cup Playoff run with the final weekend of the regular season set to begin tonight. Forward and team captain Jimmy Soper and goaltender Stephen Mundinger have both been activated off the injured reserve ahead of Friday night’s home game against Birmingham.

In addition, defenseman Billy Roche and goalie Connor Green have been placed on the IR.

Soper, in his second season in Knoxville, rejoins the lineup after missing five games. He has five goals and 27 points this season while racking up 134 penalty minutes. He had nine points in eight playoff games a year ago, leading all players across the postseason, and also skated to a +9 rating. He was named Knoxville’s captain ahead of the 2024-25 campaign and has held the distinction through the past two years.

The wait has been longer for Mundinger, who last played in Knoxville’s overtime win in Pensacola on Feb. 7. The third-year pro has appeared in 28 games for the Ice Bears this season, posting a 14-10-3 record. He’s sixth in the league with a 2.43 goals against average and second in the SPHL with a .931 save percentage—both of which are career highs. He shined in the playoffs last April, boasting a 2.14 GAA And a .948 save percentage with one shutout.

The Ice Bears wrap up the regular season against Birmingham Friday and Saturday at the Civic Coliseum. Knoxville can clinch a playoff berth at any point of the weekend with a win, a Macon loss in regulation or a loss by Quad City in any fashion.

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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