Evansville IceMen Forward Announces Retirement from Pro Hockey

After helping the IceMen to a win over the visiting Indianapolis Fuel this past Saturday, forward Dirk Southern announces he's leaving the game he's played for the decade.

In a press release provided by the team, Southern discussed the decision with Head Coach Dwight Mullins before making it official, citing personal reasons as the factor.

Southern's career spanned 10 years and took him around the world with stops in Italy, Denmark, and the United States. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada native was drafted in the seventh round (218th overall) of the 2003 NHL draft by the Anaheim Ducks after playing collegiality at Northern Michigan University.

The Evansville IceMen were the fourth ECHL team Southern was a member of, appearing in 251 games total after stints with the Augusta Lynx, Gwinnett Gladiators, and Victoria Salmon Kings. He retires with a stat line that includes 56 goals and had 107 assists.

The IceMen are back at the Ford Center Wednesday morning to host Coach Mullins former team, the Elmira Jackals for Education Day as kids from around the Tri-State area will flock to the Ford Center to watch the contest. The IceMen will wear special Education Day jerseys for the game.

The early game will also be the first for Coach Mullins against his former team. If history, or previous success means anything, it favors the IceMen in this contest as Mullins has never lost at the Ford Center. He is 7-0 in Evansville with both the Jackals and the IceMen.

To get tickets to this or any IceMen home game, stop by the Ford Center Box Office Monday through Friday 10a.m. to 5p.m. and at 12 p.m. on weekend game days, or go online to Ticketmaster.