SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

Darrell Stoddard Signs with RiverKings

Published on September 6, 2011 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


Forward Darrell Stoddard returns to the RiverKings for his seventh season playing professionally in the Mid-South. The 5-11, 195 pound native of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada has played his entire professional career with the RiverKings' organization and provides an offensive threat and a physical presence on the ice for the RiverKings.

This year will also mark a league change for Stoddard after the Mississippi RiverKings made an offseason move to the SPHL after a 19-year affiliation with the Central Hockey League (CHL). Last season he played in 49 games, compiling 20 points on 11 goals and 9 assists to go along with 175 penalty minutes.

During the 2009-10 campaign, Darrell finished with his second highest assist total (22) and his second highest point total (34) since joining the pro ranks with the Memphis RiverKings in the 2005-06 campaign. He scored 12 goals during the regular season and added one more in the playoffs.

In the same season, the aggressive forward posted his second highest total for penalty minutes (180) since becoming a professional. The 180 PIMS was the most on the end-of-season roster for the RiverKings. He finished that year tied for third in the CHL for major penalties with 22, one short of teammate David Simoes and three behind league leader and former teammate Adam Smyth, who finished the season with the Arizona Sundogs.

Among Stoddard's professional highlights are a four-goal third period he fashioned in the final frame of a 9-2 victory over the Wichita Thunder in February, 2009. It was the first time that feat had been accomplished at the CHL level in five years and netted him the league "Performance of the Week" award.

Stoddard posted professional career highs in his 2005-06 rookie campaign with the RiverKings, netting 18 goals and 41 points along with 184 penalty minutes. Stoddard came to the RiverKings after a successful amateur career in Alberta. After briefly playing in the Western Hockey League with Spokane, he totaled just under a point a game in 62 appearances with the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 2002-03. He led the Kodiaks in goals scored (30) and was second on the roster in points (61). Darrell has also won honors as the MVP and top scorer of the Royal Bank Cup with Camrose, emblematic of Canadian Junior "A" hockey supremacy. He also played one season at South Alberta Institute of Technology, netting 16 goals and 32 points in 27 appearances for the Trojans.

Derek Landmesser, in his first year as Head Coach and Director of Player Operations, is ecstatic about bringing his former teammate back into the fold. "Look for (Stoddard) to be a huge leader on and off the ice for us. His veteran presence will benefit everyone on the team. He will play in all situations, will do whatever it takes to win, and he plays with an edge that will rub off on his teammates. I know Darrell's desire to win and I'm excited to have him on our side."

As for Darrell Stoddard, he's not only happy that he gets to continue his playing career, but that he gets to continue playing where he belongs. "It was a pretty easy decision for me," says Stoddard. I had some other offers from some CHL teams but I didn't really consider them because I have my family and everything down here. I've been here for six years and this is home for me and where I want to stay."

Stoddard also echoed the sentiments of Coach Landmesser. "I give it 100% every time out there. That's the way I am and that's the way I play...I'm very competitive. I'm very proud of being a RiverKings and I'm very much looking forward to being a part of the 20th Anniversary."

Season tickets and all other ticket packages are still on sale. For more information, please visit www.riverkings.com or call the front office at (662)342-1755.

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