For immediate release

For more information, contact Joel Silverberg, Director of Broadcasting (865) 525-7825, [email protected].

The Knoxville Ice Bears have added defenseman Carson Vance to their training camp roster. The 2024-25 season will be the Arizona native’s fifth professional season.

“I’m thrilled to be signing with Knoxville this year,” Vance said. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about the organization, the city and most importantly, the fans.”

In the SPHL, Vance has played 114 games for Huntsville, Fayetteville and Birmingham. Last year, he played 48 games for the Bulls, scoring 21 points in total, helping Birmingham win the William B. Coffey Trophy as regular season champions. He has also played 51 games in the ECHL for four different teams during his career, including 36 games in Wichita while new Ice Bears head coach John Gurskis was an assistant with the Thunder.

“I’m familiar with Carson, having coached him previously in the ECHL,” Gurskis said. “I’m excited to coach him again, and I know he’s a player I can trust to lead the D-Corps this season. He’s a proven player at this level who is capable of playing important minutes when we need him.”

“He’s a great coach with a lot of experience at the professional level,” Vance said.

Before turning pro, Vance finished his college career at NCAA Division III SUNY-Oswego after spending two seasons at Division I Western Michigan. He spent the final three seasons of his junior career in the USHL.

“My expectations this year are not only to make the playoffs, but also to go far and win the championship,” added Vance. “I’m looking forward to meeting all the fans and supporters, but most of all to winning a lot of games and having fun with the guys.”

The Ice Bears will open their 23rd season on Friday, October 18th, in Evansville. The team’s first home game will be the following Friday, October 25th, at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

ABOUT the Knoxville Ice Bears: The Knoxville Ice Bears were founded in 2002 and were a 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 that offers the city and its visitors a balanced offering of spectacular hockey, unique and exciting intermission activities and endless fan interaction, making it the most affordable and 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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