CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings' Goetz decides to retire

Published on December 16, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


Ken Goetz has decided to retire from his hockey playing career with the Memphis RiverKings of the Central Hockey League, he announced on Friday.

"Coach (Kevin McClelland) and I talked yesterday and we knew that some changes needed to be made," said Goetz. He and the organization handled everything really well and offered to trade me or work with me in any way that they could, but I felt that I wanted to stay in the Memphis and DeSoto County area and pursue some other opportunities in the business world."

Goetz, 28, a 6-0, 195-pound left winger, had been with the RiverKings for the past two seasons. In 2004-05, he had two goals and four assists for six points, and, so far this season, Goetz had played in 19 games with no goals and one assist with 90 penalty minutes.

"After six years, it is really time for me to start thinking about what is best for my family. The organization gave me every opportunity to do what I wanted to do, including a possible trade to Corpus Christi where I have a lot of roots. But, in the end, it was a life decision for me and the best thing was to move on to the business world. I just had to look at the big picture."

McClelland said that it is tough to see Goetz leave the team. "I know that this is a hard decision. Kenny is so well respected by me, the organization, the players, and the community," said McClelland. "But, he decided that it was in his family's best interest to retire and stay in DeSoto County and do some other things."

The RiverKings are on a three-game road trip that will end Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. at Oklahoma City. Earlier this week, the RiverKings traded for forward Sheldon Wenzel with the Austin Ice Bats for future considerations. In 20 games with the Ice Bats this season, Wenzel, 21, had a goal, two assists and 64 penalty minutes. Prior to turning pro this season, the Brooks, Alberta native played in the Alberta Junior and Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leagues.

McClelland also announced on Friday that the team was waiving Memphis native Drew Terry and signing Rob Ouimette. Ouimette, a 25-year-old forward at 5-10, 188 pounds, played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire before joining the Youngstown Steeldogs of the CHL this season. Ouimette played in 19 games with the Steeldogs with one goal and four assists for five points.

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