Founded in 2002, the Knoxville Ice Bears will celebrate their 25th anniversary season beginning this October. In recognition of this milestone, the organization—with input from staff, players and fans—has put together a ranking of the top 25 players in Ice Bears history. Fans were invited to submit ballots of multiple players and write-in players of their choosing as well. Highlighted criteria includes, but is not limited to individual statistics, individual accolades, contributions to team and organizational success, organization-defining moments and tenure.
Over the next several weeks, the rankings will be released in increments of five players each, with the final reveal of the top five players in franchise history concluding the rankings.
20. Dean Balsamo. LW. 2021-23.
Acquiring Dean Balsamo from Macon early on in the 2021-22 season was the most impressive trade of the Jeff Carr coaching era. The former collegiate All-American put together 27-goal campaigns in each of his two seasons in Knoxville, the fourth-highest goals-per-game rate in team history among players with more than 50 games played. He added 39 assists in the 2022-23 season, giving him 66 points and an All-SPHL selection.
19. Frank Furdero. F. 2008-11.
144 points in 147 games as an Ice Bear. Frank Furdero provided consistency across a three-year run in Knoxville. That .98 point-per-game rate is the seventh-highest in franchise history among players who appeared in 100 games or more. He assisted on the aforementioned Vitek equalizer in game six of the 2009 President’s Cup Finals before assisting on two more in game seven to earn himself a title. He followed that up with 55 points in 54 games the next season and concluded his Ice Bears tenure with a 63-point campaign in 2010-11 to etch his name on the All-SPHL team.
18. Jason Bermingham. LW. 2005-06.
Jason Bermingham spent only one season in Knoxville, but he left a lasting impression two decades ago. The younger brother of late Ice Bears coach Jim Bermingham put up 76 points in just 48 games during the regular season, but it was the postseason where Jason shined. He scored ten goals in eight playoff games, the most in a single postseason in franchise history, highlighted by a five-goal outburst to help Knoxville finish off Pee Dee in the semifinals. His 15 points during Knoxville’s 2006 President’s Cup run are the most in a single playoffs by any Ice Bear not named Kevin Swider. In addition to a championship, his efforts earned him Playoffs MVP honors.
17. David Segal. F. 2006-07, 2009-15.
A former Ice Bears captain, David Segal spent parts of seven seasons in Knoxville, appearing in 288 games (4th most in franchise history) and leading all Ice Bears with 1,533 career penalty minutes. His 87 goals as an Ice Bear still have him third on the all-time list.
16. B.J. Pelkey. F. 2007-10.
A 20-goal scorer in each of his three seasons for the Ice Bears, B.J. Pelkey is still 10th all-time in goals in franchise history with 66. His 14 goals and 24 points in the playoffs each rank third. His biggest moment came in game six of the 2009 President’s Cup Finals when he scored the game-winning overtime goal to force game seven, which the Ice Bears ultimately won. He enjoyed two titles in Knoxville, scoring in all three games of the ’08 finals against Jacksonville to help the Ice Bears sweep the Barracudas.
Players 11-15 will be revealed Fri., Aug. 21. Follow the Knoxville Ice Bears on social media to stay updated on team news and events!
