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West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies, proud affiliate of the New York Islanders, announced today their training camp roster for the 2007-2008 season. The announcement was made by Grizzlies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jason Christie. The team opens training camp Sunday at 7 a.m. at the Acord Ice Center.
Ten players from former Grizzlies teams are returning to Utah for camp - including the team's leading scorer the last two seasons Ryan Kinasewich and Garett Cameron who scored 26 goals for Utah during the 2005-2006 season. 6-foot-6 defenseman and former Flyers draft pick Ian Forbes, Eric Nelson and Grant Clafton will return to the blue line as will James Sanford who had one goal and two assists last year in three games with Utah after being acquired in a trade from Texas. 22-year-old Brandon Tidball returns for his second professional season. The team also announced in August that ECHL All-Star Andy Sertich and West Valley City native D.J. Jelitto had re-signed for the upcoming season and on Wednesday announced the return of captain Travis Rycroft. Utah announced the signing of veteran Scott Burt from Idaho Wednesday as well.
Justin Bourne, who the Grizzlies acquired the rights to in August started this season in training camp with the New York Islanders as did Jason Pitton, Chris Gaudet, Martin Freschette and Tyler Haskins.
11 other players who spent training camp with Bridgeport (AHL) will also be in camp with Utah. Goaltenders Mike Mole, who was signed as a free agent by the Islanders last October and Brett Jaeger who was an ECHL All-Star in 2006 each bring at least two years of ECHL experience with them.
Other players that were in Sound Tigers camp include: veteran defenseman Scott Ford who led Dayton to the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals last year, Keith Johnson, Kazuma Takahashi, Tyler Haskins, Michael Haley, Rob Sirianni, Mitch Woods, Jeff Dwyer, and Jordan Hart.
In addition, Jason Christie has welcomed Oleg Koreskovs, Peter Kennedy, Todd Taylor, Matt Jenson and Jordan Neamonitis to training camp for the season.
The Grizzlies open the regular season Friday, October 19 at Phoenix. The team's home opening weekend is Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27 when they will host Idaho at the E-Center.
The Utah Grizzlies, of the ECHL, are owned and operated by the Elmore Sports Group and play at the E-Center of West Valley City; which hosted hockey during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Entering their 14th year as an organization, the Grizzlies have an all-time record of 499-435-98. Jason Christie enters his third season as the Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the team who announced an affiliation with the NHL's New York Islanders on May 22, 2007.
Utah Grizzlies Training Camp Schedule
Saturday, October 6, Physical Exams, TBA, TBA Sunday, October 7, Practice, 7-8:30 a.m., Acord Ice Center Monday, October 8, Practice, 9-11:00 a.m., Acord Ice Center Tuesday, October 9, Practice, 9-11:00 a.m., Acord Ice Center Wednesday, October 10, Practice, 9-11:00 a.m., Acord Ice Center Thursday, October 11, Practice, 9-11:00 a.m., Acord Ice Center Friday, October 12, Practice, 9-11:00 a.m., Acord Ice Center Preseason Game, 7:30 p.m., Park City Ice Arena Saturday, October 13, Preseason Game, 7:30 p.m., Acord Ice Center Sunday, October 14, OFF Monday, October 15, Practice, 10-Noon, E-Center
For a complete roster and bios, visit www.utahgrizzlies.com.
