View source for Utah Grizzlies

{{short description|Professional minor league ice hockey team in Salt Lake City, Utah}}
{{About|the ECHL franchise|the former IHL and AHL franchise|Utah Grizzlies (1995–2005)}}
{{Infobox ice hockey team
| current     = 2025–26 ECHL season
| bg_color          = background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#00483A 5px solid; border-bottom:#231F20 5px solid;
| text_color        = #000000
| team              = Utah Grizzlies
| logo              = Utah Grizzlies Logo.svg
| logosize          = 250px
| city              = [[West Valley City, Utah]]
| league            = [[ECHL]]
| conference        = Western
| division          = Mountain
| founded           = 1981 (in the [[Central Professional Hockey League|CHL]])
| arena             = [[Maverik Center]]
| colors            = Green, black, copper, white<ref>Email response from Communications and Broadcasting VP Adrian Denny:  "Copper is the third color."</ref><br />{{color box|#00483A}} {{color box|#231F20}} {{color box|#B1790C}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
| owner             = Pro Hockey Partners, LLC
| GM                = Erik Hudson
| coach             = John Becanic
| media             = [[KSOP (AM)|KSOP]]<br>FloTv
| affiliates        = [[Colorado Avalanche]] ([[National Hockey League|NHL]])<br />[[Colorado Eagles]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]])
| website = {{URL|https://utahgrizzlies.com}}
<!--- Franchise history --->
| name1       = [[Nashville South Stars]]
| dates1      = 1981–1983
| name2       = [[Virginia Lancers]]
| dates2      = 1983–1990
| name3       = [[Roanoke Valley Rebels (ECHL)|Roanoke Valley Rebels]]
| dates3      = 1990–1992
| name4       = [[Roanoke Valley Rampage]]
| dates4      = 1992–1993
| name5       = [[Huntsville Blast]]
| dates5      = 1993–1994
| name6       = [[Tallahassee Tiger Sharks]]
| dates6      = 1994–2001
| name7       = [[Macon Whoopee (ECHL)|Macon Whoopee]]
| dates7      = 2001–2002
| name8       = [[Lexington Men O' War]]
| dates8      = 2002–2003
| name9       = '''Utah Grizzlies'''
| dates9      = 2005–present
<!--- Championships --->
| reg_season_titles = 
| division_titles   = '''1''' ([[2021–22 ECHL season|2021–22]])
| conf_titles       = 
| kelly_cups        = 
}}
The '''Utah Grizzlies''' are a professional [[ice hockey]] team in the [[ECHL]]. They play their home games at [[Maverik Center]] in [[West Valley City, Utah]].

==History==
===Pre-history===
The current Utah Grizzlies franchise started in 1981 as the [[Nashville South Stars]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], in the [[Central Professional Hockey League|Central Hockey League]]. [[Henry Brabham]] then took over the team in 1983 and relocated them to [[Vinton, Virginia]] mid-season, to become the [[Virginia Lancers]]. Brabham and the Lancers were then one of the founding members of the [[ECHL|East Coast Hockey League]] (ECHL) in 1988. 

The franchise was sold and relocated several times until it went dormant after the [[2002–03 ECHL season|2002–03 season]]. After the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) incarnation of the [[Utah Grizzlies (1995–2005)|Grizzlies]] suspended operations in 2005, David Elmore and Donna Tuttle bought the rights to the dormant ECHL franchise and moved the team to the [[E Center]] to replace the previous Grizzlies franchise.

===ECHL Grizzlies===
Prior to the [[2013–14 ECHL season|2013–14 season]], their NHL affiliate [[Calgary Flames]] changed their affiliation to the [[Alaska Aces (ECHL)|Alaska Aces]]. Incoming head coach and general manager Tim Branham announced a three-year agreement with the [[Anaheim Ducks]] on August 7, 2013.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865584282/Utah-Grizzlies-announce-affiliation-with-Anaheim-Ducks.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180629064922/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865584282/Utah-Grizzlies-announce-affiliation-with-Anaheim-Ducks.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 29, 2018 | title = Utah Grizzlies announce affiliation with the Anaheim Ducks | website = desertnews.com | date = 2013-08-07 | access-date = 2013-08-07}}</ref> 
After the Grizzlies made the post-season in every season within the Ducks organization, the Grizzlies and Ducks agreed to a multi-year extension during the [[2015–16 ECHL season|2015–16 season]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/ducks/news/ducks-announce-affiliation-agreement-extension-with-utah-grizzlies-of-the-echl/c-869570 | title = Ducks announce affiliation extension with the Utah Grizzlies | publisher = [[Anaheim Ducks]] | date = 2016-01-20 | access-date = 2016-01-20}}</ref>

Following the [[2017–18 ECHL season|2017–18 season]], the Grizzlies missed the post-season for the first time in 11 years. At that time, their ECHL rival, the [[Colorado Eagles]], joined the American Hockey League as an affiliate of the [[Colorado Avalanche]] after previously serving as the Avalanche affiliate in the ECHL. The Grizzlies ended their agreement with the Ducks and affiliated with the Avalanche, their then-closest geographical NHL club.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.utahgrizzlies.com/team-news/headline-news/?article_id=3523 | title = Grizzlies announce affiliation with Avalanche | website = utahgrizzlies.com | date = 2018-06-28 | access-date = 2018-06-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/utah-grizzlies-announce-affiliation-with-colorado-avalanche/c-299324520 | title = Avalanche enters in to ECHL partnership with the Utah Grizzlies | publisher = [[Colorado Avalanche]] | date = 2018-06-28 | access-date = 2018-06-28}}</ref>

Despite the arrival of the [[National Hockey League|NHL]] in Utah in 2024, with the [[Utah Mammoth]], the Grizzlies and Mammoth aren't currently affiliated. 

===Relocation to Trenton, New Jersey===
On July 23, 2025, West Valley City officials announced that they had agreed to a deal to sell the team to Delaware based Pro Hockey Partners, LLC who will relocate the team to a different market for the 2026–27 season which is reportedly the former ECHL market [[Trenton, New Jersey]], playing at the [[CURE Insurance Arena]] which is the former home of the [[Trenton Titans|Trenton Titans/Trenton Devils]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Valley City ‘reluctantly’ OKs the sale of the Utah Grizzlies. Here’s what happens next to the Maverik Center. |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-hockey-club/2025/07/23/west-valley-city-oks-sale-utah/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.ksl.com/article/51350201/west-valley-city-authorizes-sale-of-utah-grizzlies-setting-up-relocation--#:~:text=The%20team%20is%20expected%20to,%2C%20is%20solely%20human%2Dwritten. |title=West Valley City authorizes sale of Utah Grizzlies, setting up relocation |publisher=KSL news |language =en-us}}</ref> 

On September 9, 2025, the Grizzlies confirmed the sale to Pro Hockey Partners, LLC and the relocation to Trenton which will include a new name for the team yet to be finalized.<ref>{{cite press release|title=ECHL returning to Trenton with Transfers of Controlling Interest and Home Territory of Utah Membership |url=https://echl.com/news/2025/09/echl-returning-to-trenton-with-transfers-of-controlling-interest-and-home-territory-of-utah-membership |access-date=9 September 2025|publisher=ECHL}}</ref>

== Season-by-season record ==
'''''Note:''' GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL= Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalty infraction minutes''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!colspan=11|Regular season
!colspan=5|Playoffs
|-
! Season !! GP !! W !! L !! OTL !! SOL !! Pts !! GF !! GA !! PIM !! Standing !! Year !! 1st round !! 2nd round !! 3rd round !! Kelly Cup
|-
| [[2005–06 ECHL season|2005–06]] || 72 || 36 || 30 || 5 || 1 || 78 || 235 || 236 || 1712 || 4th of 6, West || [[2005–06 ECHL season#Kelly Cup playoffs|2006]] || L, 0–4, [[Alaska Aces (ECHL)|AK]] ||—||—||—
|-
| [[2006–07 ECHL season|2006–07]] || 72 || 22 || 42 || 4 || 4 || 52 || 184 || 294 || 1953 || 5th of 5, West || [[2006–07 ECHL season#Kelly Cup playoffs|2007]] ||colspan=4|''did not qualify''
|-
| [[2007–08 ECHL season|2007–08]] || 72 || 32 || 30 || 2 || 8 || 74 || 239 || 259 || 1595 || 4th of 5, West ||[[2007–08 ECHL season#Kelly Cup playoffs|2008]] || W, 4–2, [[Fresno Falcons|FRE]] || W, 4–1, [[Victoria Salmon Kings|VIC]] || L, 0–4, [[Las Vegas Wranglers|LV]] ||—
|- 
| [[2008–09 ECHL season|2008–09]] || 72 || 28 || 28 || 6 || 10 || 72 || 220 || 246 || 1372 || 4th of 6, West || [[2009 Kelly Cup playoffs|2009]] || L, 1–4, [[Alaska Aces (ECHL)|AK]] ||—||—||—
|-
| [[2009–10 ECHL season|2009–10]] || 72 || 34 || 29 || 4 || 5 || 77 || 260 || 253 || 1292 || 3rd of 4, West || [[2010 Kelly Cup playoffs|2010]] || W, 3–2, [[Las Vegas Wranglers|LV]] || L, 0–4, [[Idaho Steelheads|IDH]] ||—||—
|- 
| [[2010–11 ECHL season|2010–11]] || 72 || 33 || 32 || 4 || 3 || 73 || 189 || 227 || 1674 || 3rd of 4, Mountain || [[2011 Kelly Cup playoffs|2011]] || W, 3–1, [[Stockton Thunder|STK]] || L, 0–4, [[Victoria Salmon Kings|VIC]] ||—||—
|-
| [[2011–12 ECHL season|2011–12]] || 72 || 33 || 33 || 0 || 6 || 72 || 183 || 223 || 1573 || 3rd of 4, Mountain || [[2012 Kelly Cup playoffs|2012]] || L, 0–3, [[Las Vegas Wranglers|LV]] ||—||—||—
|- 
| [[2012–13 ECHL season|2012–13]] || 72 || 29 || 30 || 4 || 9 || 71 || 217 || 277 || 1741 || 4th of 4, Mountain || [[2013 Kelly Cup playoffs|2013]] || L, 0–4, [[Ontario Reign (ECHL)|ONT]] ||—||—||—
|-
| [[2013–14 ECHL season|2013–14]] || 71 || 38 || 24 || 3 || 6 || 85 || 187 || 173  || 1329 || 3rd of 4, Mountain || [[2014 Kelly Cup playoffs|2014]] || L, 1–4, [[Bakersfield Condors (ECHL)|BAK]] ||—||—||—
|- 
| [[2014–15 ECHL season|2014–15]] || 72 || 37 || 27 || 5 || 3 || 82 || 213 || 219 || 1170 || 4th of 7, Pacific || [[2015 Kelly Cup playoffs|2015]] || W, 4–2, [[Idaho Steelheads|IDH]] || L, 1–4, [[Ontario Reign (ECHL)|ONT]] ||—||—
|-
| [[2015–16 ECHL season|2015–16]] || 72 || 39 || 27 || 3 || 3 || 84 || 223 || 206 || 942 || 3rd of 5, West || [[2016 Kelly Cup playoffs|2016]] || W, 4–2, [[Colorado Eagles|COL]] || L, 0–4, [[Fort Wayne Komets|FW]] ||—||—
|-
| [[2016–17 ECHL season|2016–17]] || 72 || 36 || 29 || 5 || 2 || 79 || 225 || 240 || 1312 || 4th of 7, Mountain || [[2017 Kelly Cup playoffs|2017]] || L, 1–4, [[Allen Americans|ALN]] ||—||—||—
|-
| [[2017–18 ECHL season|2017–18]] || 72 || 28 || 29 || 9 || 6 || 71 || 230 || 256 || 1212 || 6th of 7, Mountain || [[2018 Kelly Cup playoffs|2018]] ||colspan=4|''did not qualify''
|-
| [[2018–19 ECHL season|2018–19]] || 72 || 37 || 26 || 4 || 5 || 83 || 232 || 218 || 1264 || 3rd of 7, Mountain || [[2019 Kelly Cup playoffs|2019]] || L, 1–4, [[Idaho Steelheads|IDH]] ||—||—||—
|-
| [[2019–20 ECHL season|2019–20]] || 62 || 34 || 17 || 7 || 4 || 79 || 207 || 164 || 884 || 3rd of 7, Mountain || 2020 || colspan=4|Season cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]
|-
| [[2020–21 ECHL season|2020–21]] || 72 || 35 || 26 || 5 || 6 || 81 || 207 || 219 || 1037 || 4th of 7, Western|| [[2021 Kelly Cup playoffs|2021]] || bgcolor=#000000|—|| L, 0–3, [[Allen Americans|ALN]] ||—||—
|-
| [[2021–22 ECHL season|2021–22]] || 72 || 42 || 27 || 2 || 1 || 87 || 240 || 225 || 959 || '''1st of 7, Mountain''' || [[2022 Kelly Cup playoffs|2022]] || W, 4–3, [[Tulsa Oilers|TUL]] ||W, 4–2, [[Rapid City Rush|RC]] || L, 1–4, [[Toledo Walleye|TOL]] ||—|—
|-
| [[2022–23 ECHL season|2022–23]] || 72 || 35 || 33 || 4 || 0 || 74 || 230 || 259 || 1316 || 4th of 7, Mountain || [[2023 Kelly Cup playoffs|2023]] || L, 2–4, [[Idaho Steelheads|IDH]] ||—||—||—
|-
| [[2023–24 ECHL season|2023–24]] || 72 || 31 || 36 || 5 || 0 || 67 || 227 || 264 || 750 || 5th of 7, Mountain || [[2024 Kelly Cup playoffs|2024]] ||colspan=4|''did not qualify''
|-
| [[2024–25 ECHL season|2024–25]] || 72 || 25 || 39 || 6 || 2 || 58 || 226 || 292 || 741 || 7th of 8, Mountain || [[2025 Kelly Cup playoffs|2025]] ||colspan=4|''did not qualify''
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Utah Grizzlies}}
* {{Official website|https://utahgrizzlies.com}}

{{Colorado Avalanche}}
{{ECHL}}
{{Utahsports}}

[[Category:Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) players]]
[[Category:ECHL teams]]
[[Category:Ice hockey teams in Utah]]
[[Category:Sports in Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:Professional sports teams in Utah|Grizzlies]]
[[Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 2005]]
[[Category:Anaheim Ducks minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Calgary Flames minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Colorado Avalanche minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:New York Islanders minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:2005 establishments in Utah]]