Southorn returns to Komet blue line

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets announced Wednesday that Jordon Southorn has agreed to terms and becomes the sixth defenseman to be added to the preseason roster.Southorn, 25, returns to the Fort Wayne lineup after skating 26 AHL games with Portland and eight ECHL games with Gwinnett last season. The six-foot, three-inch, 205-pound defenseman was the Komets' Defenseman of the Year when he appeared in 53 games during 2013-14 leading Fort Wayne defensemen in scoring with 12 goals, 30 assists and 32 points. Southorn started 2013-14 appearing in three games with Elmira before traveling to England for three games with Dundee (EIHL). Upon his return to the States Southorn was traded to Fort Wayne where he also appeared in one AHL game with Portland. Southorn completed the year with career highs of 13 goals, 26 assists and 39 points."At the end of the 2013-14 season Jordon told me how much he liked playing in Fort Wayne," Komets general manager David Franke said. "He indicated a desire to return at some point and that time is now. Gary Graham deserves a pat on the back for his work on getting Jordon signed. Jordon's return is huge for the Komets."

Prior to 2013-14, Southorn scored 23 assists and 34 points in 64 ECHL games with Elmira during 2012-13, leading the Jackals defensemen in goals and points and ranked second among ECHL defensemen with +27.The Montreal, Quebec native was selected by Buffalo in round four of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and has appeared in 29 AHL games with Providence and Portland during his pro career. Southorn has logged ECHL totals of 34 goals and 109 points in 213 career games with Trenton Wheeling, Elmira, Gwinnett and Fort Wayne.

The Fort Wayne preseason roster expands to 16 players and includes one goaltender, six defensemen and nine forwards.

Home opener Oct. 17-- The 64th season of Komet hockey starts with a home-and-home series against long time rival Kalamazoo. The Komets skate at Kalamazoo Friday, Oct. 16 for the season opener. Then the Komets will face the Wings for the Fort Wayne home opener Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7:30pm. -Komet Schedule-Season tickets for 2015-16 are on sale at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way in Fort Wayne. Call the Komet office at 260-483-0011 or visit komets.com for more information. -Komet Season Tickets-