For immediate release

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

The Knoxville Ice Bears added returning stability in between the pipes for the 2025-26 season, re-signing goaltenders Stephen Mundinger and Hunter Virostek back to the roster.

The 6-foot-8 Mundinger, 30, returns for a second season in Knoxville and third year in the SPHL. He appeared in 40 games for the Ice Bears last season, going 18-13-5 with a 2.97 goals against average and .909 save percentage. He also posted three shutouts. His best work came in the postseason, where he went 4-2-2 in eight starts with a 2.14 GAA and .948 save percentage, highlighted by a 44-save shutout in game two of the opening round series against Roanoke to keep Knoxville’s season alive. He faced 40 shots or more in seven playoff games last year.

Virostek, 26, joined Knoxville late last season and appeared in six games towards the end of the regular season. He went 1-4-1 and posted a 3.54 GAA and .892 save percentage. Prior to Knoxville, Virostek went 17-10 for Blue Ridge in the FPHL with a .914 save percentage and three shutouts. He spent parts of five seasons at Liberty University.

The Ice Bears open their 24th season in franchise history on Saturday, October 18 in Fayetteville. Knoxville plays its home opener the following Friday against Roanoke 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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