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The Knoxville Ice Bears continue to prepare to defend their Southern Professional Hockey League title by signing talented players. The Ice Bears organization recently signed a pair of rookie defensemen that will assist returning players such as Kevin Harris.
At 6’0 185 lbs., Sean Cryer, a 24-year-old from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, earned a number of awards and accomplishments while playing NCAA Division III hockey at West Neumann College, which is in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). From 2004 to 2008 Cryer was a member of the ECAC West All-Academic Team. In the 2006-2007 season he was named a member of the Milwaukee School of Engineering All-Tournament Team. From 2007 to 2008 he received St. Mike’s Holiday Hockey Tournament Most Points by a Defenseman honor.
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While playing for the Neumann College Knights for four years, Cryer played in a total of 158 games, had ten goals, 64 assists and 74 points.
“As a team we are looking to be a more mobile group than last year. We are looking for Sean to be an immediate impact player in the SPHL. He skates and moves the puck very well. With maturity and experience at the professional level we believe Sean will develop into a Kevin Harris type of player. He has a very good offensive upside and we will work very hard to help Sean continue to improve his play in the defensive end of the ice,” said head coach Scott Hillman.
Dana Thibault, 23, from South Burlington, Vermont, is also bringing a number of achievements and much experience with him for the upcoming Ice Bears season.
Before attending ECAC East Division III Norwich University, the 5’9, 182 lb. Thibault played in the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) with the Green Mountain Glades from 2002 to 2004. There he played a total of 122 games, scored 23 goals, had 76 assists, and accumulated 99 points. While at Norwich University, Thibault had 77 games played, three goals, 30 assists, and 33 points.
During his freshman year he was named the ECAC Rookie of the Week and led all freshmen defense in scoring. He was named ECAC defensive player of the week his sophomore year. During his junior year, Thibault and his teammates were ECAC Champions and NCAA Quarter-finalists. Senior year he was a member of the Primelink Shootout All-Tournament Team.
“Dana comes from a very successful Division III program and his experience and success at that level will help him as he makes his transition to the SPHL. He has received great coaching and developed into a very steady defenseman who will compete every shift. As a Junior hockey player he was able to put up very strong offensive numbers and we look for him to add another offensive element to our blue line,” Hillman commented.
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