Four Former Grizzlies Remain In NHL Playoffs
April 25, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release
West Valley City, Utah - As the NHL's conference semifinals open tonight, four former Utah Grizzlies remain in the hunt for a Stanley Cup Championship. When the playoffs started two weeks ago, 12 of the 23 former Utah players who started the season in the NHL were still alive as their teams entered the postseason.
Tonight, when Vancouver visits Anaheim, former Utah players Scott Niedermayer and Ric Jackman will be on the ice for the Ducks. Anaheim also has a few Utah coaching ties as Ducks Head Coach Randy Carlyle coached Grizzlies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jason Christie when he played with the AHL's Manitoba Moose. In addition, Anaheim Assistant Coach Dave Farrish coached the IHL's Salt Lake Golden Eagles during the 1993-94 season.
Tomorrow, one former Grizzlies player will be in each series opener with Jim Dowd suiting up for New Jersey when they host Ottawa. Todd Bertuzzi will represent Utah when he and the Detroit Red Wings open up their series with the San Jose Sharks.
At the start of the NHL playoffs, the Dallas Stars led the NHL with four former Utah alums skating in the postseason; Trevor Daley, Steve Ott, Antti Miettinen and Mike Smith were all in uniform for the series. Jon Sim (Atlanta), Jamie McLennan (Calgary), Richard Park (New York Islanders) and Rob DiMaio (Tampa Bay) were all part of teams who were first-round casualties. Former Utah Equipment Manager Richard "Shakey" Krouse holds the same position with the Islanders who were eliminated by Buffalo in five games.
On the television front, former Grizzlies Andy Brickley and Bob Beers are part of the "Versus" broadcast team for the NHL playoffs.
When all is said and done, the Utah organization will look to have a former player etched onto the Stanley Cup for a second-straight season with Ray Whitney winning the championship last year with Carolina.
The Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, just completed their second season in America's "Premier AA Hockey League." The Grizzlies are owned and operated by the Elmore Sports Group and play at the E-Center of West Valley City, which hosted hockey during the 2002 Winter Olympics.
ECHL Stories from April 25, 2007
- Steelheads Wrangle Game Three 4-2, Take 2-1 Series Lead - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Steelheads Make Early Lead Hold Up In 4-2 Win Over Wranglers - Idaho Steelheads
- 'Blades swamped 5-0 by Texas in game two - Florida Everblades
- Bombers Down 2-0 in series after 1-0 loss - Dayton Bombers
- Wildcatters Respond With 5-0 Blanking Of Florida, Even Series At 1 - Texas Wildcatters
- Ftorek's Last Second Goal Lifts Cyclones To 1-0 Win - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Condors Playoff Game Preview - Bakersfield Condors
- Record-Breaking Season Concludes With Playoffs, All-Stars, Attendance Title - Stockton Thunder
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Rallo Returns From Iowa - Idaho Steelheads
- Four Former Grizzlies Remain In NHL Playoffs - Utah Grizzlies
- ECHL Today - ECHL
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