Ice Bears Announce 13-Player Protected List

May 6, 2025 - SPHL (SPHL)
Knoxville Ice Bears News Release

The Knoxville Ice Bears have finalized their 13-player protected list for the 2025-26 season. The list includes eight forwards, four defensemen and one goaltender. Players not placed on a protected list may not re-sign with their previous SPHL team until Aug. 1.

FORWARDS:

Jason Brancheau

Sean Gulka

Ryan Kuzmich

Liam McCanney

Dawson McKinney

Eric Olson

Jimmy Soper

Tyler Williams

DEFENSEMEN:

Brendan Dowler

Cale List

Derek Raposo

Cam Tobey

GOALIE:

Stephen Mundinger

"[Assistant Coach] Jason Price and I were able to sit down with each guy before they left town and many, understandably, were unsure of their plans for next season," said Ice Bears Head Coach John Gurskis. "Our success down the stretch will definitely get guys some looks from the ECHL and Europe while others may consider retirement.

"The reality is, some on this list won't be back and some not on the list will most definitely return to Knoxville. We have a really strong core group of players, both on and off of this protected list, that have stated their desires to play in Knoxville. This past season was quite a ride and we look forward to seeing what next season will bring."

In Gurskis' first year as Knoxville's bench boss, the Ice Bears finished sixth in the regular season standings with a 25-24-7 record before claiming playoff series wins over Roanoke and Birmingham. Knoxville fell to Evansville in the President's Cup Finals in a pair of overtime games. Gurskis tied for second in the SPHL Coach of the Year voting for his efforts.

SPHL Stories from May 6, 2025

• Storm Announce Protected List for 2025-2026 Season - Quad City Storm
• Bulls Release the 2025 Protected Players List - Birmingham Bulls
• Ice Flyers Announce 2025-26 Protected LISt - Pensacola Ice Flyers
• Mayhem Announce 2025 Protected List - Macon Mayhem
• Marksmen Unveil 2025-26 Protected List - Fayetteville Marksmen
• Ice Bears Announce 13-Player Protected List - Knoxville Ice Bears
• Rivermen Release 2025 Protected List - Peoria Rivermen
• Thunderbolts Announce 2025-26 Protected List - Evansville Thunderbolts
• Roanoke Releases 2025-2026 Protected List - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs

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