Utah Grizzlies (1995-2005)

''This is about the defunct IHL/AHL team that folded in 2005. For the current ECHL team, see Utah Grizzlies.''

The Utah Grizzlies were a team in the International Hockey League and American Hockey League. They played in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA at the E Center.

History
The Utah Grizzles, 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 and the Delta Center.

While in Denver, the Grizzlies won the 1994–95 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 1995–96 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 2005–06 season while the owner found a buyer for the AHL franchise. That buyer arrived in May 2006, as the owner of the NBA's 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 and area facts
The market was previously served by: The franchise was replaced by: The franchise is now known as:
 * Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the IHL (1984–1994)
 * Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL (2005–2007)
 * 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)

Single season

 * Goals: 46 Kip Miller (1994–95)
 * Assists: 60 Kip Miller  (1994–95)
 * Points: 106 Kip Miller   (1994–95)
 * Penalty minutes: 317  Mike MacWilliam  (1995–96)
 * GAA: 2.21 Rich Parent  (1999–00)
 * SV%: .928 Wade Flaherty (2001–02)
 * Wins: 45  Tommy Salo  (1994–95)
 * Shutouts: 5  Mike Bales  (2000–01)


 * Goaltending records need a minimum 25 games played by the goaltender

Career

 * Career goals: 111 Chris Taylor (1994–98)
 * Career assists: 167 Chris Taylor
 * Career points: 278 Chris Taylor
 * Career penalty minutes: 684  Gavin Morgan  (1999–2003)
 * Career goaltending wins: 73  Tommy Salo  (1994–96)
 * Career shutouts: 7  Tommy Salo
 * Career games: 440 Gord Dineen  (1994–2000)