For immediate release
For more information, contact: Joel Silverberg, Director of Broadcasting (865) 525-7825, joel@knoxvilleicebears.com.
The Knoxville Ice Bears have signed defenseman Billy Roche for the 2026-27 season. Roche enters his fourth full season in the SPHL and second in Knoxville. He was placed on the team’s protected list in May.
“I am so excited to return to a place that feels like a second home; thanks to the amazing community surrounding the Knoxville Ice Bears,” said Roche. “I am looking forward to competing with my teammates to bring the Cup back to Knoxville.”
Roche was acquired from Roanoke in a trade early last season and appeared in 27 games for the Ice Bears. Scoring five goals and adding seven assists. He spent the first two seasons of his career with the Rail Yard Dawgs and has 137 games played in his SPHL career. He has also appeared in ten career games in the ECHL.
Prior to his pro career, Roche spent four seasons at Suffolk University before wrapping up his collegiate career at Curry College. As a junior, he spent a year with the South Shore Kings, where he was coached by Ice Bears head coach John Gurskis.
The Ice Bears open the 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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