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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Evan Kotsopoulos Returns To Utah

October 16, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


Las Vegas, Nevada - Utah Grizzlies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Colley announced today that forward Evan Kotsopoulos has signed a contract to return to the team for the 2009-2010 season. He will join the Grizzlies in Las Vegas today, but will not play in tonight's season opener at 8 p.m.

Before being traded to Mississippi on March 12, 2009 in exchange for Peder Skinner and Chris Brooks, he tallied 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points in 50 games with the Grizzlies; while also adding 158 penalty minutes.

"Trading Evan last spring for a skilled forward and a steady defenseman during our playoff run was the toughest decision of my career thus far," said Colley. "I think we all had the feeling that him returning to Utah at some point in his career would be something that both sides would definitely agree on and it was destined to happen."

Kotsopoulos was originally acquired by Utah from the Bakersfield Condors on March 4, 2008 and put up two goals and one assist in eight games before sustaining a season-ending injury and missing the team's conference finals run of the 2008 playoffs.

"We have a lot riding on the year and I'm looking forward to coming in as a leader and helping us make things happen as a team," said Kotsopoulos. "I had a great time in Utah from the fans to the organization and there was no other choice for me."

Fans are invited to watch tonight's season opener at Legends Sports Pub and Grill at 677 South and 200 West in downtown Salt Lake City.

Utah enters their fifth year in the ECHL and their third-straight season as an affiliate of the New York Islanders. On September 16, 2009 the Grizzlies announced that they will also be adding up to four prospects this season from the Calgary Flames. Head Coach Kevin Colley returns to the Utah bench this upcoming season after signing a multi-year contract extension on April 20, 2009. Colley, who at the age of 30 is the youngest coach in the ECHL, led the Grizzlies to the playoffs for the third time in four years during his rookie head coaching campaign. Utah Grizzlies Hockey: The Ultimate Experience.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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