Dirk Southern Announces Retirement from Professional Hockey
November 3, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind.- Forward, Dirk Southern announced his retirement from professional hockey and the Evansville IceMen presented by Coors Light on Monday afternoon. Southern cited personal reasons when he discussed his decision with IceMen Head Coach, Dwight Mullins.
"We respect his decision at this time and realize that these choices are hard to make," Mullins said.
Southern played collegiately at Northern Michigan University. He was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the seventh round (218th overall) of the 2003 NHL draft.
Hailing from Winnipeg, Southern played nine professional seasons and had just started his 10th with the IceMen. The forward played all over the world in the last nine years, including Italy, Denmark, and the United States.
Southern appeared in 251 games in the ECHL for the Augusta Lynx, Gwinnett Gladiators, Victoria Salmon Kings, and the Evansville IceMen. He scored 56 and had 107 assists in the ECHL. Southern scored his final goal in the IceMen's 4-3 win on Saturday over the Indy Fuel.
In 2008-09 Southern posted a career best 17 goals and 33 assists, while splitting time between Gwinnett and the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. The 31-year-old forward lit the lamp 16 times and had 23 assists for Gwinnett, a year ago in his last full season.
The IceMen will return to the Ford Center for their next game on Wednesday, November 5th against the Elmira Jackals at 9:30 A.M. It will be a revenge game for Mullins as he takes on his former team.
Mullins has never lost at the Ford Center. He is 7-0 in Evansville with both the Jackals and the IceMen.
Wednesday morning's contest will also be Education Day as kids from around the Tri-State area will flock to the Ford Center to watch the IceMen and Jackals play some morning hockey. The IceMen will be wearing their special Education Day jerseys for this contest.
To get tickets to any IceMen home game including Education Day, stop by the Ford Center Box Office Monday through Friday 10a.m. to 5p.m. and at 12 p.m. on weekend game days. Get your season tickets now to watch every exciting minute of IceMen hockey. For discounted tickets contact an IceMen Account Executive at 812-421-GOAL (4625).
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