KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — When you think about the Knoxville Ice Bears, or the SPHL for that matter, the first name that comes to mind is Kevin Swider. He lead the league in scoring six times, collected three SPHL championships
Photo courtesy of Knoxville Ice Bears
Quietly and without fanfare, Swider retired from hockey at the end of last season. The task of replacing the league’s most prolific scorer will now fall upon the Ice Bears’ new Director of Hockey Operations – Kevin Swider.
The 32-year-old Livonia, Mich. native decided to make his retirement official after a tough year on the ice, with the team squeaking by the Fayetteville FireAntz in the first round of the playoffs only to fall to eventual President Cup Champion Huntsville Havoc.
Swider’s choice to retire wasn’t easy, nor was it made quickly.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a few years. I just wanted to get out of the whole playing world, the schedule and the travel, weekends in the winter, the holidays,” Swider said. “I thought it was the right time after last year. It was a long draining year; it just kind of fit. If we didn’t have the success we had before, then it would have been harder [to retire].”
Just how draining had the season been? One day after Knoxville had been sent out of the playoffs, Swider came down with walking pneumonia. He spent more than a week in bed, leaving a question as to whether his season would have continued if the Ice Bears had forced a game three with the Havoc or had advanced to the finals.
“I was drained [at the end of the season]. The day we lost out to Huntsville, the next day I got walking pneumonia so I was bed-ridden for ten days. If we had moved on, I would have been done anyway,” Swider said. “There was no way. I couldn’t move. It was just a weird feeling. I’ve never had anything like that. I think I was just worn out from all of the travel and all of the playing. We only had two lines. It was just tough.”
Swider knew he wanted to stay involved with the team in some capacity. When the opportunity to move into the front office opened up, Swider jumped at the chance to continue his hockey career with the Ice Bears.
As Director of Hockey Operations, Swider will focus on player relations, recruiting, corporate sponsors and season ticket holders. With the search for a new head coach in full swing, Swider is doing what he can to provide the new hire with all the information needed to rebuild the team by compiling a database of player information for the new bench boss to go through. With the possibility of losing four of the five top scorers including himself and linemate Tim Vitek, the task of creating another championship team is daunting.
When asked how he was going to replace himself, Swider responded in true Kevin Swider fashion by taking “the sum is greater than the parts” approach.
“Well, someone will come along. It’s hard to replace anyone,” Swider said. “We need to find a right fit, a good player that comes to Knoxville and want to stay here.” As for the open coaching position, Swider insists he never considered taking the job. “A few years ago, maybe I would have taken the position, but I probably wasn’t ready then,” Swider said. “If I am going to take that schedule, I am going to play. I will be on the ice because I like it.” The most important event of Swider’s first season in the front office will be the team’s Free Agent Showcase from October 1-3. The showcase will give Swider and the new head coach a chance to see players they are not familiar with while searching for a diamond in the rough. Swider will play an integral part in the showcase, assisting in running drills while looking for players that stand out. He will work with the coach to decide which two players will be invited to the main training camp a week later. Also on his plate is next week’s Youth Hockey Camp, where he will be joined by teammates Bobby Joe Pelkey and goalie Andrew Gallant. During the week-long camp, young players will correctly learn basic skills through games and drills in a fun atmosphere.
It is clear that Swider is as comfortable behind the desk as he was on the ice. With so much change going on around him, one has to wonder if he feels the pressure to connect both sides of the team.
“I see both sides, being around that long, I have dealt with both sides. No pressure, but I like doing that kind of stuff. If there is a problem with the guys downstairs, I’ve been there, I know exactly what they are talking about. I can relay that completely and get it resolved,” he said. “I’ve been there and know what it is like, and I can relate to those guys, not just as teammates, but as friends, so I’d rather be honest with them. I will support the coach in his decision.”
Naturally, many people wonder if there is any chance they will see Swider on the ice again. When asked, he left that door ever so slightly ajar.
“If the right situation came up,” Swider said. “If I am here, and only here, but I have to get over it sooner or later.”
Thousands of Ice Bears fans hope that time is later. No matter his role with the team, Swider is sure to have a huge impact on the team and the league. And that is a win-win for everyone involved.
Learn more about the Knoxville Ice Bears Free Agent Showcase at http://knoxvilleicebears.com/news/events/free_agent_showcase.
Contact the author at kristina.shands@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.