Rodgers, Ice Bears chase three-peat

KNOXVILLE, TENN. – In five seasons as a member of the SPHL, the Knoxville Ice Bears have won three President’s Cup championships. The last two titles came in back-to-back seasons under coach Scott Hillman who joined the team after Jim Bermingham won one crown in three years. Marc Rodgers hopes that his predecessors left some of that luck and knack for

winning as he takes over the role as head coach. His task: win the team’s third consecutive title in a league that has gotten stronger with the addition of three teams along the Interstate-10 corridor. “I know that we need to be way better if we’re going to even accomplish that (third straight championship) in any way,” Rodgers said. “That’s what drives me every day to come to the rink, the one reason, that is to do it again.” Rodgers knows all about what it is like to be a member of the Ice Bears’ family, having spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach. He also knows that winning isn’t just expected – it is demanded. That kind of pressure could buckle even the toughest of coaches but Rodgers relishes the challenge. “I knew what I was getting myself into when I applied for this position. I knew there was going to be pressure but it is good pressure,” he said. “Is there pressure on the team to do it? Not on the players. The pressure’s pretty much all on me and I’m looking forward to the challenge.” Given the talent pool that Rodgers has at his disposal, it is no wonder why Knoxville is at the top of the list when it comes to preseason expectations. No franchise has been able to stock its roster with players any better than general manager Mike Murray and his coaches have. Rodgers has been a big part of that as Hillman gave him a lot of room to go out and recruit players. That experience has once again given the Ice Bears a deep list of players – as well as giving Rodgers himself more than enough headaches over which ones to keep and which ones to cut. “In my position, I don’t think that jobs are guaranteed at any level. These players have to prove themselves,” Rodgers said. “I don’t care if they’ve been in this league for five years or been at the upper levels. Everybody’s job is on the line.” Naturally, no discussion of the Ice Bears would be proper if it didn’t start with forward Kevin Swider. Entering his sixth season in Knoxville, Swider (37-55-92 last season) continues to be the leader on the ice, which has earned him the captain’s “C” again this year. There are very few SPHL offensive categories that Swider isn’t at the top of or at least in the top five. This year, he will have added duties as he and wife Angela welcomed daughter Avery Claire into the world within the last few days. Rodgers, a father of two himself, doesn’t expect the dual roles to affect Swider’s play on the ice but if an issue arises, he and the rest of the team are there to help out. “I don’t think Kevin has to change anything at all. He likes being around the guys. He likes having people over at his house and being that leader he’s always been here,” he said. “The good thing is that I’ve been through what he’s going through now and I’m going to help him as much as possible to keep him playing at the top of his level. Everybody loves Kevin in the dressing room and loves him off the ice so they’re do whatever they can to help him.” The Ice Bears were also able to resign several players. Tim Vitek (26-50-76) is back in the fold and ready to reunite with Swider on the top scoring line. Another early signing was forward Bobby Joe Pelkey (22-27-49) who has impressed Rodgers enough to be asked to be the team’s player/assistant coach. “Bobby Joe is a winner and that’s what I was looking for (in a player/assistant coach). He gets along with everybody in the dressing room. He gets along with everybody outside the dressing room. He’s an extremely good player at this level,” Rodgers said. “He will not only recruit some players because his entourage around the hockey world is broad – he knows a lot of people – but during the season, he’s very knowledgeable with systems. He cares about this organization and he wants to be in Knoxville. Those are all positives that helped me make that decision.” A couple of players new to the roster for this year are forwards Donald Melnyk and Tom McMonagle. Melnyk is no stranger to the SPHL wars, having spent time in both Richmond and Twin City where he scored 26 goals a year ago. McMonagle is back trying to make the roster after being out of the game for three years. In the past, he has worn the jerseys of both Knoxville and Columbus, winning a championship with the Cottonmouths in the very first year of the SPHL. “He’s won a ring with Columbus at this level before and that always helps,” Rodgers said about McMonagle. “Bringing people into the organization who have done it and want to do it again is real important. He was a goal scorer and a little bit of an agitator from the reports I’ve gotten from everybody I’ve spoken with about Tommy and I expect him to do that again.” Also back in town are Frank Furdero (7-19-26 in 38 games) and Travis Martell (1-19-20) who can play forward or defense as well as David Segal who posted 277 penalty minutes in 53 games with Muskegon of the IHL a year ago. Defensively, the Ice Bears have a terrific trio in Kevin Harris, Chris Brannen and Paul Lynch anchoring the blue line. Harris, last season’s top defenseman in the SPHL, posted 36 points and was the leader in front of the Knoxville net. Along with Brannen and Lynch who played 30 games with Cincinnati in the ECHL, the three form a solid foundation. “They’re all players who I am privileged to have and I’m actually kind of lucky to have here because they want to be in Knoxville. All three have played at higher levels and could still play at higher levels but they chose to come back to Knoxville,” Rodgers said. “They love the town, the city, the people, the fans and all that. In a way I’m very lucky to have them here.” Between the pipes, two-time President’s Cup MVP Kirk Irving is no longer with the team. According to Rodgers, family issues at home prevented Irving from coming back. Backup net minder Andrew Gallant – he of the 2.61 goals against average and .924 save percentage in 32 games last year – has assumed the number one spot but is being pushed by Jordan Ramstead and Dan Earles. Both Ramstead and Earles have been with the Ice Bears before and exhibited talent and dedication, two things that rank high in Rodgers’ book. Among the new faces, Rodgers said everyone has proven themselves to the extent where there will be some painful choices coming in the days ahead. “Every kid that’s come in here has proven themselves this week and has worked extremely hard and shown me things I didn’t expect. Randy Johnston has had a great camp. Robb Ross has had a great camp. Shane Jury has had a great camp. Chris Hollens has had a great camp. Adam Larsen has actually fought in camp and has had a great camp,” he said. “Other players, Mike Bulawka, Travis Hansen, Frank Furdero, they’re all playing great. They’re making my life miserable which is great, a coach’s dream. On the back end, I’ve got kids like Glen Cacaro, Lane Moodie, Derek Buors and Lorne Tessier who have come in here and proven they can play. It’s all going to depend on what kind of a mold or what kind of a player I’m looking for to see who I keep.” Like the men who came before him, Rodgers, when asked to describe what his team’s style would be, said that his squad will be known for optimum effort and leaving it all on the ice. “I can tell you right off the bat that we will be the hardest working team in this league. That’s the way I was as a player and that’s what I expect from these players here. During the game, they will not quit. They will keep working hard no matter how the game is going,” he said. “I want to make that our trademark that wherever we go, we are and people know that we are the hardest working team. I want a hard-working, intense team that never gives up.” As for whether the season will be considered a failure if the Ice Bears don’t win their third straight President’s Cup, Rodgers said that although winning the title is the absolute goal, given the strides every team has made, being competitive every night is a good start. “Our goal is to repeat, don’t get me wrong, that is what we’re here to do. That’s what I’m molding my team to but at the same time this whole league is getting better. It’s going to be really, really competitive. There’s going to be some good teams at this level and we have to prepare for that,” he said. “Will it be a lost season (if Knoxville doesn’t win the championship)? No, not really because like I said the whole league is getting better and that makes us look good not only as a team but as a league. With that said, I am looking to repeat but to make it a lost season (if we don’t), I don’t think so.” Come October 23rd when another banner gets raised in the Civic Coliseum, winning again will be on the minds of everyone in Knoxville – both on and off the ice. Contact the author at don.money@prohockeynews.com