Mark Pederson Retires
March 7, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
SAN DIEGO â San Diego Gulls forward Mark Pederson, who led the ECHL last season in goals, announced his retirement Monday. The 17-year professional veteran left San Diego Sunday and is making his way back home to Montana.
Pederson, 37, joined the Gulls in 2002-03, which was their last season in the now-defunct West Coast Hockey League. During his three-year stint with San Diego, the 6-foot-2-inch, 210-pound native of Prelate, Saskatchewan recorded 187 points (96g, 91a) and 106 penalty minutes in 178 games. His 187 points and 96 goals rank 12th and eighth respectively all-time in franchise history.
Last season Pederson scored an ECHL high 44 goals and added 37 assists for 81 points, tied for the team lead and good for sixth in the league. Pederson also led the ECHL with 18 power-play goals and a .240 shooting percentage, while tying for fourth with eight game-winning tallies. At the conclusion of the 2003-04 season, Pederson was given the ECHL Sportsmanship Award and named to All-ECHL Second team.
The veteran left-winger also set a Gulls franchise record last season with a nine-game goal-scoring streak and also put together a 20-game point streak, which was second only to teammate Sylvain Deschatelets, who scored a point in a league-high 23 straight games.
During the 2002-03 campaign with San Diego, Pederson ranked second in the WCHL with 39 goals and seventh with 72 points. That same season, he was named the WCHL Forward of the Year, selected to the All-WCHL team and was named Taylor Cup Playoff MVP for leading the Gulls to the WCHL championship.
In 48 games this season for the Blue and Orange, he notched 34 points (13g, 21a) and 34 penalty minutes. Pederson, however, has been plagued by injuries this year, which ultimately led to his retirement decision.
"I felt like it was time for me to move on," Pederson said. "I will miss everyone: the guys, the coaches, the fans and the entire organization, but I want to focus on other things that will need my full attention.
"I've wished all my teammates âgood luck' and will undoubtedly miss playing in San Diego. We won a championship a couple years ago and finished with the top record in the league last season. We've gone through some tough times this year, but I'll always love the city, the fans and the organization."
Pederson began his career in 1988-89 with the American Hockey League's Sherbrooke Canadiens. During his 17-year professional career, he has played in the NHL, AHL, International Hockey League, WCHL, ECHL and also spent seven seasons in Europe.
During his professional career, Pederson led his team in points and goals six different seasons. He was a first round selection (15th pick overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft and played parts of five seasons in the NHL with Montreal, Philadelphia, San Jose and Detroit.
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