The Sheffield Steelers have completed the signing of defenceman Jordon Southorn, with the 35-year-old inking a one-year deal with the Elite League side.
Southorn joins the Steelers ahead of his tenth season in Europe, following spells in the Kontinental Hockey League, Slovak Extraliga, and Germany’s DEL.
The Canadian led Grenoble to the Ligue Magnus title last term, scoring 26 points (three goals, 23 assists) in 41 appearances for the champions of France.
“Jordon is a big bodied veteran defensemen that brings a very well rounded game to our group,” Steelers head coach Aaron Fox said of the 35-year-old.
Aaron Fox, Sheffield Steelers (Image: Dean Woolley)
“He skates well for his size and is a winner having won multiple trophies in his career. Jordon has played multiple different roles on different teams so is very versatile… I think he’ll be a great addition, adding some size and physicality as well.”
Who is Sheffield Steelers defenceman Jordan Southorn?
Montreal-born Southorn is a product of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, in which he posted 105 points (27 goals, 78 assists) in 258 appearances for the Prince Edward Island Rocket.
The left-shooting defenceman’s form drew the attention of professional scouts, with the Buffalo Sabres selecting Southorn with the 104th pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Jordon Southorn, Grenoble (Image: Ligue Magnus)
He inked his first professional contract two years later, spending two seasons with the ECHL’s Trenton Devils.
Southorn spent a total of seven seasons in North America’s third tier, recording 165 points (45 goals, 120 assists) in 296 appearances.
The 6-foot-3 defender also scored 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 31 American Hockey League appearances before joining Kazakhstan-based KHL organisation Barys Astana in 2016-17.
Following two seasons in Kazakhstan, Southorn briefly returned to North America with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, before putting pen to paper with HC Banska Bystrica.
Through four seasons in Slovakia, the former fourth-round pick won two Extraliga titles and recorded 134 points (32 goals, 102 assists) in 159 appearances for Bystrica, HK Dukla Michalovce, and HC Kosice.
Southorn was an Augsburger Panther in 2023-24, scoring 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) in 46 German top-flight appearances, and spent last term in France with Grenoble.
Analysis: Sheffield Steelers finally land Jordon Southorn
The Steelers continue to disclose unusual details in their press releases.
News of Matthew Greenfield’s return to Sheffield included vivid details of the many offers the star netminder received from stronger leagues.
This time, in announcing Jordon Southorn’s arrival in Yorkshire, the Steelers open with the admission that ‘Fox finally got his man’ after ‘two summers of persuasion’.
But why was Fox so determined to add the defenceman to his roster?
While Southorn’s offensive production is eye-catching, his experience and eye for detail on the defensive side of the puck are key factors in his appeal.
Southorn defends smartly with his body and stick, using his frame to overpower opposition forwards.
“I guess my game has changed as I have got older,” said the Canadian, “when you are young it is all about scoring goals, jumping in the play, and getting points. Now, well I would like to think I am a good two-way player, I can play in both ends of the rink.”
Southorn joins a strong blueline in Sheffield, with offensive weapon Dominic Cormier and shutdown option Kevin Tansey already re-signed.
The only question mark — how will Southorn adapt to the Elite League’s pace after a season in France?
While on the rise, Ligue Magnus is not on the Elite League’s level (as the Cardiff Devils proved in the Continental Cup final, beating Southorn and Grenoble comfortably).
But that doesn’t concern this writer — nor Fox and the Steelers.
Southorn projects as a top-four defenceman in the Elite League, with his ice time likely to be nudged up on the penalty kill.
The Steelers finally have their guy — and they are right to be thrilled about it. Southorn is a quality addition.
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