The Knoxville Ice Bears have officially named Dave Feather as the new general manager, a step up from his previous position as the team’s executive vice president. This announcement comes as Mike Murray, the former general manager since 2005, transitions to maintain his role solely as the team president. "I’m very proud of Dave and happy for this well-deserved promotion to his new role," Murray stated, as reported by WVLT. Feather’s history with the Ice Bears dates back to 2003, before leaving to briefly work in the ECHL with Charlotte and Reading, and then returning to the Ice Bears in 2007.
Feather has been recognized not only for his commitment to the sport but also for his efforts off the ice. He notably established the Knoxville Ice Bears Charitable Foundation in 2021, an endeavor to support local causes, which quickly earned him the SPHL’s Wanda Amos Community Service Award in 2022. The Ice Bears’ co-owner, Dr. John Langley, expressed his confidence in Feather's new position, saying, “His tenure and longevity in the professional hockey industry and with our organization have been tremendous. We have no doubt he’ll do a great job in his new role." This sentiment was echoed in an article by the Knoxville Ice Bears.
The promotion is seen as a well-earned accolade for Feather, whose leadership skills have been at the forefront of the organization’s success in recent years. His strategic decisions are to continue shaping the trajectory of the Ice Bears’ future. Alongside his expertise in sports management, Feather also boasts an academic background with two degrees from the University of Tennessee: a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and a Master’s of Business Administration earned in 2003. These qualifications have been fundamental in steering his professional journey, as detailed by Knox News.
Feather is set to quickly take the helm as the general manager, with plans already in motion for the 2025-26 SPHL season. The continuity represented by Feather’s extensive commitment to the team likely promises to fortify the leadership within the Ice Bears' organization. As Murray told WVLT, "Since I first hired him a little over 20 years ago, Dave has done nothing but work tirelessly to make the Ice Bears a standard-bearer in the SPHL. I look forward to seeing him continue to thrive as we enter our 24th season."
