Knoxville signs Mark Van Vliet

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A familiar face was on the ice when the Knoxville Ice Bears practiced Monday.

Mark Van Vliet, who was part of last season's Southern Professional Hockey League's championship team, had a black jersey and skated with the defensemen at Civic Coliseum.

Van Vliet, who also can play forward, was released last week by the Missouri Mavericks (Central Hockey League). The 25-year-old from Dorchester, Ontario, scored nine goals and had 11 assists in 49 games with Knoxville as a rookie last season. The 6-foot, 175-pound Van Vliet also played six games with the Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL.

Van Vliet joined former Knoxville coach Scott Hillman at Missouri. He had one assist in five games - all losses - and was a minus-nine.

"We got off to a rough start, so changes had to be made," Van Vliet said. "I'm happy to be back here but it was a good experience up there."

Defenseman Derek Buors was released to create roster room for Van Vliet, who is expected to play against the Mississippi Surge (2-1-1), at Civic Coliseum on Thursday night.