HUNTERSVILLE, NC (February 17, 2026) – The SPHL announced today that Ryan Kuzmich of the Knoxville Ice Bears has been named Warrior Hockey SPHL Player of the Week for February 9-15.
Kuzmich scored four goals, including one game-winner, added two assists, and was +4 to help the Ice Bears sweep Pensacola and Huntsville over the weekend and extend their season-best winning streak to five games.
On Friday, Kuzmich scored two goals and added an assist as Knoxville downed the Ice Flyers 7-4. The following night, Kuzmich scored the game-winning goal with less than four minutes left in regulation, powering the Ice Bears past Pensacola 3-1. The Norton, MA native closed out the weekend by scoring his 16th goal and assisting on Kyle Soper’s game-winner with just under six minutes remaining as Knoxville defeated Huntsville 4-3 on Sunday.
Kuzmich, who played collegiately at the University of New England before joining Knoxville for five games last season, leads all rookies with four game-winning goals, is tied for second in points (25), and ranks third in goals (16). While at the University of New England, Kuzmich was named to three consecutive All-Conference teams and was a member of the 2022 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) championship team.
Other nominees for Warrior Hockey Player of the Week: Macgregor Sinclair, Birmingham (2 gp, 2g, 3a, shg, gwg, +4), Kristian Stead, Evansville (1-0-0, shutout, 15 saves), Matt Allen, Huntsville (2 gp, 1g, 1a), Josh Boyko, Macon (1-1-0, 3.36 gaa, 0.905 save%), Tyrone Bronte, Pensacola (3 gp, 3g, 1a), Michael McChesney, Peoria (3 gp, 5g, 1a, hat trick), and Gabe Rosek, Roanoke (1-0-0, 1 ga, 24 saves)
