The Knoxville Ice Bears retired Kevin Swider's jersey on Saturday, January 4 as part of Legend's Night.
Swider was honored in a pregame ceremony as the voice of the Knoxville Ice Bears, while his number twelve was raised to the rafters. During his tenure the Knoxville Ice Bears captured four Coffey Trophies for best regular season record, three SPHL President's Cups for league champion and Swider earned seven first team All-SPHL selections, seven scoring titles and three SPHL MVPs.
Swider has been the pillar of Knoxville professional hockey since the Ice Bears inaugural season 2002-2003. Over the past ten years and parts of nine seasons he amassed 772 points (295 Goals, 477 assists) in 430 games played. His career with the Ice Bears crossed over three leagues- ACHL, SEHL and SPHL.
"I've been in that locker room with every single team for 10 years, so I've known every player and I think most guys play here two or three years," Swider said. "Just to have it all fall back on me is overwhelming because I know what goes into a season. i know it's not just one player."
Swider played in the annual Legend's game Saturday at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. He was joined by fellow Legends of Knoxville Hockey – Chris Brannen, Jim Jensen, Chris Kovalcik, KJ Voorhees, Taylor Hustead, Terry Dunbar, Doug Searle, Head Coach Mike Craigen, Tim Vitek, Aaron Lewis, Craig Geerlinks and many others.
