From grass to rink
To any bystander, he could have been reaching for the weed-eater he uses as part of his lawn care business, Lawn Captains.
Instead, Price pulled out a black hockey stick — the same kind he sees every day in practice as an associate head coach for the Knoxville Ice Bears.
After becoming the Southern Professional Hockey League’s highest-scoring defenseman, Price joined the Ice Bears’ coaching staff ahead of the 2024-25 campaign after a playing career that spanned 16 seasons, seven in Knoxville.
He is the only player in SPHL history to appear in more than 700 games and served as captain, leading Knoxville to the 2015 President’s Cup.
Before returning to East Tennessee, he served as an assistant coach for Pensacola in 2021 and helped the Ice Flyers to the President’s Cup that season.
Most recently, he was promoted to his newest title in September of this year.
“It was great to be recognized in that way, the work I put into it,” Price said. “I’ve been working a bit more with the office and the general manager, but on the coaching side, the head coach and I have a good working relationship and a great dialogue. Not too much change there but definitely interacting with the office.”
The move came just before the 2026 season, which began last Friday, October 16th.
“I can’t wait to get going,” Price said. “It’s a great place to be a part of a hockey game and coach, and with everything we’re involved in with the community, it’s awesome to be part of and represent.”
A lifelong hockey fan, Price grew up loving the Detroit Red Wings in his home state of Michigan.
Now, he enjoys passing his love of the game to the next generation after leading the Ice Bears to an SPHL title as a player.
“With players, we get an idea of their hockey I.Q. and you can build it from there, seeing what they need help on the most,” Price said. “Try to help them understand what’s coming their way. When we prep for games, it’s not like most sports. You’ll make tiny adjustments but you won’t change your whole game plan because your team is built a certain way. You just execute better than they do.”
He brings a similarly detailed approach with his landscaping company, which can be reached at lawncaptains@gmail.com.
The business itself was inspired by Price’s grandfather, who worked in landscaping, too.
“At some point, I figured I’d be tied to some landscaping,” Price said. “It came together, and my wife and I settled here and I wanted to see how it would come together.”
Fellow Ice Bears alum and former captain Kevin Swider joined Price on the venture before Price bought out his former teammate.
“The timing works with the seasons,” Price said of his business, which handles lawn mowing, mulching, hedge trimming, decks and fences. “A little overlap on both ends, but for the most part, when things slow down here, hockey picks up and vice versa. It’s great to do both. I’m very thankful.”
On the ice and in the grass, Price has seen a similar approach pay off.
“Work ethic,” he said. “That’s what I know, hard work, and you get what you put into it. But mainly people. I’ve learned a lot about people doing hockey, and that coincides with dealing with people and knowing their wants and how they are in general.”
With both occupations and three children, it can be a lot to handle for Price.
But he has enjoyed each line of work in its own unique way.
“For some reason I don’t
like to settle down or stop, I guess,” he said with a chuckle. “I like taking a lot on my plate, and this is a great spot to be part of a hockey team and community.”
