News - 04/29/2004

American Hockey League - Utah Grizzlies

Utah Grizzlies to Change Uniforms, Colors

COYOTES PARTNER WITH UTAH

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Michael Barnett announced today that the Coyotes have signed a multi-year affiliation agreement with the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Utah Grizzlies. The Grizzlies will become the Coyotes’ sole AHL affiliate beginning in 2004-05.

“We are very pleased to be entering into this affiliation agreement with David Elmore and the Utah Grizzlies,” said Barnett. “Mr. Elmore is a knowledgeable and experienced owner. The Grizzlies have been a successful, winning franchise for years. In the process of developing future stars for the Coyotes, we will also be dedicated to putting a winning product on the ice in Utah at the ‘E’ Center.”

The Coyotes will provide the Utah Grizzlies with the majority of players as well as the head coach and an assistant coach. The Grizzlies may provide additional veteran players to the roster. Coyotes general manager Michael Barnett and assistant general manager Laurence Gilman will make all decisions related to hockey operations for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies will also unveil new uniforms, using the same color scheme and pattern as the Phoenix Coyotes uniforms.

“This will be a great fit for the Phoenix Coyotes and the Utah Grizzlies,” said Coyotes Managing Partner Wayne Gretzky, who led Team Canada to a Gold Medal in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games at the ‘E’ Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. “Salt Lake City and the state of Utah have a rich tradition of hockey and a tremendous fan base. We look forward to a great partnership.”

The Grizzlies have been a member of the AHL since 2001-02 and have been affiliated with the Dallas Stars for the last four seasons, compiling a 134-129-4-11 record and two playoff berths from 2000-01 to 2003-04. Prior to joining the AHL, the Grizzlies played six seasons in the International Hockey League (IHL) from 1995-96 to 2000-01, posting a record of 261-184-47. The Grizzlies twice won the Turner Cup Championship in 1994-95 (when the franchise was located in Denver, Colorado) and 1995-96 (the first season in Salt Lake City). Before the Grizzlies existed, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles played in the IHL until 1993-94. The Golden Eagles won the Turner Cup Championship twice in 1986-87 and 1987-88.

“We are extremely excited about working with an organization as dynamic and exciting as the Phoenix Coyotes,” said Dave Oldham, president of the Utah Grizzlies and the Elmore Sports Group. “This affiliation change signals a whole new era for Grizzlies hockey, and will also bring some extremely positive changes to the team.”