DRYDEN, Ont. – The Dryden GM Ice Dogs of the Superior International Junior Hockey League have recognized third-year veteran forward, Eric Stout, as the all-time leading goal scorer for the franchise.
On February 22, 2019, Stout surpassed former line-mate, Jacen Bracko, to set the new club record by notching goals No. 89 and 90 in a game against the Minnesota Iron Rangers.
At a ceremony on Sunday, March 10, the Dryden GM Ice Dogs officially announced the retirement of jersey No. 14 in honour of Stout’s incredible career in Dryden.
“Eric scored four goals in his first game as an Ice Dog, and at that moment I knew he was a special player,” stated team president Mike Sveinson.
“From that day onward and over the next three seasons, there have been numerous big goals including an OT winner at the Dudley-Hewitt Cup in 2017,” added Sveinson. Eric’s statistical accomplishments speak for themselves in making him deserving of this honour, but for me the biggest number on his stat sheet is three. That is the three years he has given to the Dryden GM Ice Dogs in which every single year saw Eric return to the team in better shape, a better player and a better person. For Eric’s loyalty to the club, and his dedication to being a better player which culminates in his having scored more goals than anyone in franchise history, no one will ever wear No. 14 for us again,” summarized Sveinson.
Stout’s performance did not stop when he broke the scoring record.
Heading into the last two games of the regular season he continues to amass points and perform among the league’s best.
“Stout, or Grinder as I like to call him, is the top goal scorer that the Dryden GM Ice Dogs have ever seen,” stated head coach and general manager Kurt Walsten.
The reason why is because of consistency and health. Stout works just as hard off the ice as he does on the
ice. He is a natural goal scorer, with a heavy shot. We are all very proud of Eric.”
The retirement of Stout’s No. 14 joins the likes of former teammate, Derek McPhail’s No. 21 being retired in 2017.