Utah Grizzlies (1995-2005) encyclopedia topics

History

The Utah Grizzlies, which moved to Utah following their only season in Denver, Colorado shortly after the NHL's Quebec Nordiques announced their relocation to become the Colorado Avalanche, was admitted to the AHL when the IHL folded in 2001. They played their home games in the E Center.

While in Denver, the Grizzlies won the 1994-1995 Turner Cup, the official Championship of the International Hockey League. After relocating to Salt Lake City, the Utah Grizzlies once again marched to victory in the IHL playoffs. Utah swept the Orlando Solar Bears 4 games to 0 to win the 1995-1996 Turner Cup. The fourth (and final) game of the series was played in the Delta Center; 17,381 fans attended, which set a national record for largest attendance at a minor league hockey game.

The franchise was granted a voluntary suspension for the 2005-2006 season while the owner found a buyer for the AHL franchise. That buyer arrived in May 2006, as the owner of the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert, purchased the franchise to replace the departing Cleveland Barons. On January 25, 2007 it was announced at a press conference that the new Cleveland team will be called the Lake Erie Monsters. The Lake Erie Monsters took the ice for the 2007-08 AHL season.

Franchise & Area Facts

The market was previously served by:

Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the IHL (1984-1994)

The franchise was replaced by:

Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL (2005-2007)

The franchise is now known as:

Lake Erie Monsters (2007-present)

Season-by-season results

Denver Grizzlies 1994–1995 (International Hockey League)
Utah Grizzlies 1995–2001 (International Hockey League)
Utah Grizzlies 2001–2005 (American Hockey League)

Regular season

Season	Games	Won	Lost	Tied	OTL	SOL	Points	Goals for	Goals against	Standing
1994–95	81	57	18	—	6	—	120	339	235	1st, Southwest
1995–96	82	49	29	—	4	—	102	291	232	2nd, Southwest
1996–97	82	43	33	—	6	—	92	259	254	3rd, Southwest
1997–98	82	47	27	—	8	—	102	276	234	3rd, Southwest
1998–99	82	39	34	—	9	—	87	244	254	3rd, Southwest
1999–00	82	45	25	—	12	—	102	265	220	2nd, West
2000–01	82	38	36	—	8	—	84	208	220	4th, West
2001–02	80	40	29	6	5	—	91	240	225	3rd, West
2002–03	80	37	34	4	5	—	83	227	243	5th, West
2003–04	80	27	42	6	5	—	65	162	230	7th, West
2004–05	80	23	50	5	2	—	53	156	265	7th, West

Playoffs

Season	Prelim	1st round	2nd round	3rd round	Finals
1994–95	—	W, 3-0, MIN	W, 4-1, PHX	W, 4-1, MIL	W, 4-0, KC
1995–96	—	W, 3-2, KC	W, 4-3, PEO	W, 4-2, LV	W, 4-0, ORL
1996–97	—	W, 3-0, KC	L, 0-4, LB	—	—
1997–98	—	L, 1-3, KC	—	—	—
1998–99	Out of playoffs.
1999–00	—	L, 1-4, HOU	—	—	—
2000–01	Out of playoffs.
2001–02	—	L, 2-3, HOU	—	—	—
2002–03	L, 0-2, WBS	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Out of playoffs.
2004–05	Out of playoffs.