Gladiators Sign Pair of Forwards
Published on September 12, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release
The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today that they have signed forwards Dirk Southern and Lou Dickenson for the 2007-08 season.
Southern joins the Gladiators for his second professional season after playing for the Augusta Lynx last year during his rookie campaign. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native collected 31 points off of 10 goals and 21 assists in 61 games with the Lynx.
The 6-foot, 185-pound forward was drafted in the 7th round of the 2003 NHL entry draft with the 218th overall pick by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks after completing his collegiate career at Northern Michigan University. In 149 career collegiate games, Southern notched 122 points for the Wildcats.
Dickenson returns to North American to join the Gladiators after playing overseas during the past two seasons. Last year, Dickenson collected 23 points (12g, 11a) in 22 games with the Edinburgh Capitals of the British Elite Hockey League. In addition, he collected 2 points in 7 games with Bofors IK of the Swedish First League.
The Orleans, Ontario native began his professional career during the 2004-05 season splitting time between the Texas Wildcatters, the Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League and the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League. He notched 16 points in 26 games with the Wildcatters and posted one goal in 17 AHL games with San Antonio. He collected 12 points in 20 CHL games with Laredo.
Dickenson was drafted in the 4th round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft with the 113th overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers.
Opening Day in the ECHL for the 20th Anniversary Season will be Oct. 18 when the Johnstown Chiefs host the Wheeling Nailers at Cambria County War Memorial in a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will have 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals.
The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5. The conference and division alignments and the format for the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs will be determined and approved at a later date by the ECHL Board of Governors.
The Gwinnett Gladiators open their fifth season as a proud member of the ECHL in October of 2007 - season tickets are on sale now. In addition, the Gladiators offer several unique multi-game ticket packages as well as discounted group rates, suite rentals, and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.
The Gladiators are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers and play all home games at the spectacular 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, where parking is always free.
ECHL Stories from September 12, 2007
- Novak will suit up for a fourth year as an Ace - Alaska Aces
- Ice Pilots Launch New State of the Art Web-Site - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Crane Promoted To Director Of Marketing/Licensing - ECHL
- Leisenring Re-Signs for Second Season, Iberer Agrees to Terms - Fresno Falcons
- Gladiators Sign Pair of Forwards - Atlanta Gladiators
- Jackals land veteran voice for team's ECHL debut - Elmira Jackals
- RoadRunners Agree To Terms With Pszenyczny, Yandle - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Falcons Sign Broadcasting Partnership with 790 ESPN Radio - Fresno Falcons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
