ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Open Season Friday in Boise, Home Opener Saturday

October 11, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


The Situation

The Grizzlies open the season against the Idaho Steelheads for the third time in five years. Utah defeated Idaho in a shootout 3-2 on October 18, 2008 and fell last year at home 4-1 to Idaho on October 13, 2011.

Good Starts

The Grizzlies are 16-7-1-0 in October under Kevin Colley. Only Alaska and Wheeling, both at 18-8 in October since 2008, have more wins than the Grizzlies during the first month of the season since then. Utah is 3-0-1-0 in their road openers with Colley on the bench as Head Coach.

Looking To Build On The Streak, Boise Trend

Utah has won an all-time team high of five-straight games against Idaho, including the last four games in Boise. Utah went 5-1 last year at CenturyLink Arena.

NHL Experience

Brad Mills has played 31 games with New Jersey the last two seasons. Riley Armstrong played two games with San Jose in 2008-2009.

Calgary Affiliation

The Grizzlies have seven skaters on either an AHL or NHL deal with the Calgary Flames/Abbotsford Heat organizations. Utah enters their fourth season as the ECHL affiliate of the Flames and their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

Returnees

The Grizzlies roster returns 12 players from last year's roster. 14 of Utah's 22 players have played for the team before.

Point Scorers

Not only do the Grizzlies return Paul McIlveen who had 30 goals and 37 assists for 67 points in 62 games last year, but Mitch Wahl who had 20 goals and 20 assists for 40 points in 38 games is also back.

Power-Play

Mark Isherwood, who led ECHL defensemen in goals (15) and power-play goals (11) during the 2010-2011 season with Alaska; while also being named to the league's All-Rookie Team; is expected to be one of the mainstays when Utah goes on the power-play.

In Goal

Andrew Engelage, who is third all-time in Grizzlies wins with 44 will get the start in goal this weekend for Utah. Engelage who enters his third year with Utah, has been named the ECHL's Goaltender of the Week four times during the last two seasons. He is also third all-time for Utah in games played by a goaltender at 91, saves with 2,478 and shutouts with five.

The Coach

Kevin Colley enters his fifth season as the Grizzlies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations and his sixth with the organization. He has led Utah to the playoffs and a record of .500 or better in his first four seasons. Colley, 33, is the fourth youngest coach in the ECHL, the longest tenured coach in the league and the longest tenured coach in Grizzlies history.

Roster Overhaul

The Grizzlies have added nine players from the AHL and released 11 since last week's preseason action.

Opening Night

The Grizzlies host Idaho at 7 p.m. Saturday, in what is expected to be the largest opening night crowd in over a decade at Maverik Center. Tickets are on sale now at www.utahgrizzlies.com. After the game is a free post-game skate with the team. Skate rental is $2.

Attendance Trend

Grizzlies attendance has risen nearly 21-percent over the last three seasons.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 11, 2012


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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