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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Jeff Dwyer Named Assistant Coach

September 10, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - Utah Grizzlies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Colley announced today that defenseman Jeff Dwyer has announced his retirement and been named the team's Assistant Coach.

The Grizzlies are proud to be the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's New York Islanders and their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.

Dwyer, 27, played 56 games for Utah last year serving as an assistant captain. He also appeared in all 15 playoff games as the team advanced to the conference finals. In addition, he earned three call-ups to Bridgeport as well in 2007-2008.

"It was a tough decision to retire, but I am excited to go behind the bench," said Dwyer. "I look forward to helping our players achieve their dreams and goals of advancing to the AHL and NHL. Kevin and I are both young motivated guys and we look forward to winning a lot of games in Utah."

The Connecticut native is a 2004 graduate of Yale University where he played four years of college hockey. He was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year as a freshman in 2001. Dwyer was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2000 entry draft (round 6, 178th overall) and advanced to the 2006 Kelly Cup Finals playing for Gwinnett in the ECHL.

"Jeff was a great leader on last year's team," said Colley. "He has a strong understanding of the game of hockey and his business savvy and organizational skills will be a great benefit to us."

"We are once again excited to stay within our Grizzlies family with a very capable candidate," said Grizzlies CEO Kevin Bruder. "Kevin and Jeff are both familiar with each other's style. They are equally focused on winning while developing our players for the next level. They will make a great coaching staff."

The Utah Grizzlies, of the ECHL, celebrate their 15th anniversary season in 2008-2009. Owned and operated by the Elmore Sports Group, the Grizzlies enter their second season and sixth overall as an affiliate of the New York Islanders. South Jordan resident and former Islander Kevin Colley enters his first season as the Grizzlies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations after serving as Jason Christie's Assistant Coach in 2007-2008 as the team advanced to the National Conference Finals. The Grizzlies play all home games at the E-Center of West Valley City, which hosted hockey during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

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