Former Rocket Southorn signs with AHL's Portland Pirates

Jordon Southorn with the P.E.I. Rocket circa 2008. Guardian photo.

Former P.E.I. Rocket defenceman Jordon Southorn has signed a two-way contract with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League, yesterday.

The 24-year-old Montreal, Que. native played four full seasons with the Rocket from 2006-2010. The Rocket originally drafted Southorn 17th overall in 2006. In 258 career regular season games with the Rocket, Southorn scored 27 goals and 105 points with 279 penalty minutes and a minus-17 rating.

Southorn has only skated in three career AHL games, one being with Portland on a tryout last season. After his QMJHL career, Southorn played in the East Coast Hockey League with the Trenton Devils/Titan, Wheeling Nailers, Elmira Jackals and the Fort Wayne Komets. He has 32 scored goals and 100 points in 205 career ECHL games.

In a team release, Pirates General Manager and Head Coach Ray Edwards said Southorn was one of the best players in the ECHL the last two years.

"From his tryout with us last year, we could tell he had the ability to play in the AHL. He’s a big guy with a good shot who can really help our power play. Jordon will help provide us with the depth we need to be a winning team this season.”

Southorn was originally a fourth round, 104th overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 2008.