For immediate release

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

The Knoxville Ice Bears added two new members to their staff this week with the additions of Athletic Trainer Griffin Patterson and Shannon McElhose as the team’s new Massage Therapist.

Patterson joins the Ice Bears after spending the past year as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Maryville College. He received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from High Point University in North Carolina. His hire is in partnership with Benchmark Physical Therapy, which continues to play a vital role in the medical support of the Ice Bears organization. Benchmark was also highly active in the search for Knoxville’s new Athletic Trainer.

“I’m very excited to be joining such a great group of people and look forward to a great season,” Patterson said. “Being an athletic trainer in professional hockey has been a goal of mine since high school so it feels great to see that goal come to fruition.”

McElhose is a licensed massage therapist and certified reflexologist, but she also has a lot of personal experience in ice hockey.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Ice Bears organization,” said McElhose. “The team has a great history and legacy in Knoxville. I’ve been a hockey fan since 1993 and even played goalie for a while. I’m looking forward to helping the guys stay game-ready and feeling their best.”

The Ice Bears open their 21st season in franchise history Friday night at the Civic Coliseum against the Evansville Thunderbolts at 7:35 p.m. The team will raise a banner before puck drop to commemorate their SPHL-record fifth regular season championship.

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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