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West Valley City, Utah - Utah Grizzlies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jason Christie announced today that the team has signed West Valley City, Utah native D.J. Jelitto (YEHL-ih-toh) to a contract for the 2007-2008 season. The Grizzlies are a proud affiliate of the New York Islanders.
During the 2006-2007 season, with the Grizzlies, the 23-year-old Hunter High School graduate finished third on the team with 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points. He also was second with six power-play goals, third in both shots on goal with 162 and seven multiple-point games. Jelitto started his professional career with seven goals and six assists during the 2005-2006 season.
"D.J. made tremendous progress last year in his second as a professional," said Christie. "He is a great example to the youth hockey players throughout the state of Utah."
Playing in front of the home fans at the E-Center, Jelitto, scored 19 of his 29 points last season. He had the best month of his two-year professional career this past March with four goals and six assists in 14 games.
"I am looking forward to improving the organization by continuing to progress as a professional," said Jelitto. "It is an exciting time for us with our new affiliation with the Islanders and we can't wait to get out there and compete."
Jelitto is the second player that the Grizzlies have announced as signing for the 2007-2008 season. All-Star Andy Sertich inked for the upcoming season on July 16.
The Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, enter their third season in America's "Premier AA Hockey League." On May 22, 2007, Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jason Christie announced an affiliation with the NHL's New York Islanders and the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Former Grizzlies Ric Jackman and Scott Niedermayer recently won the Stanley Cup as members of the Anaheim Ducks. At the start of the 2006-2007 season, 23 former Grizzlies were on NHL rosters. 12 of those former players advanced to the playoffs.
