KAHA Rebrand Announcement
KNOXVILLE – March 20, 2023 – East Tennessee’s most prominent youth hockey program known as the Knoxville Jr. Ice Bears, which is represented by the non-profit Knoxville Amateur Hockey Association (KAHA) and has called Cool Sports home for almost two decades is reintroducing itself as the Smoky Mountain Wild. First announced on KAHA’s Facebook page in mid-January, the new identity is reflective of the ever-changing landscape of youth sports and the incredible growth of our organization. The rebrand is a significant component in the foundation that will support future endeavors – expansion of the facility and program along with plans to establish a junior level program in the coming seasons.
Beginning with the 2023-24 season, KAHA’s Smoky Mountain Wild hockey teams’ colors will be Forest Green, Grey and light Blue. The new name and crest represent one of the region’s most recognizable and prized assets, the Great Smoky Mountains, along with a celebrated figure of lore synonymous with the mountain range – a Sasquatch. While Knoxville is the home to the Wild and is represented on the new crest, the program is made of families and volunteers from all over East Tennessee making the new name a natural fit.
The new name, colors and crest will be officially launched at a celebration taking place Friday, March 24 at Cool Sports.
“The mission of KAHA has remained unchanged since 1962,” said KAHA President, Rob Link. “We’re here to offer the sport of hockey to all ages along with the opportunity for players to grow and develop. The programs we offer in partnership with Cool Sports – from Learn to Play all the way through our AA travel and adult leagues – are time tested and approved. The coaching staff’s playing and coaching experience isn’t just exemplary for a market like Knoxville, it’s exemplary for any market in the Southeast. We’re extremely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish and even more excited for what lies ahead.”
The impact of the new identity stretches beyond the crest and the name. While KAHA’s reaffirmed its commitment to invest in the tools and programming necessary to grow and develop the sport at all levels, Cool Sports is making significant upgrades to ensure its facilities equals the level of competition it houses.
“Our partnership with KAHA is a priority,” Cool Sports Hockey Director Mike Craigen said. “We’re pretty excited to support them through this endeavor where we can continue building a community of players and families who can compete in a fun, enjoyable environment surrounded by coaches and people they can trust.”
ABOUT KAHA
Knoxville Amateur Hockey Association (KAHA) is proud to serve the youth and adults hockey players in East Tennessee! KAHA has been in existence in East Tennessee since 1962 and offers recreational and competitive youth and adult hockey, from Learn to Play to Midget U18 Travel Hockey, and multiple divisions in the Adult League. KAHA is a non-profit organization, operating strictly on revenue donated by sponsors and brought in through fundraising activities.
ABOUT COOL SPORTS
Cool Sports, a premier destination for ice and turf sports in the Knoxville area was built in 2001 and has been the home to the Knoxville Amateur Hockey Association (KAHA) since the day it opened. With a D1Fitness satellite location inside, partnerships with Soccer Shots and the Tennessee Travelers basketball club, the facility has become the most popular multi-sport facility in the area. Its 90,000 square feet of
space is complimented by an NHL-sized ice rink, a 180’x80’ indoor turf field, basketball courts, Basil’s Sports Bar and full-service concession stand. Cool Sports is proud to be the home of KAHA.
