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West Valley City, Utah - Utah Grizzlies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jason Christie announced today the signings of forwards Travis Rycroft and D.J. Jelitto (YEHL-ih-toh) for the 2006-2007 season. The two are the first player signings announced by the Grizzlies for the upcoming season.
Rycroft enters his third ECHL/professional season and his third season with Jason Christie, playing for the Utah Head Coach during the 2004-2005 season in Peoria. Last season as a member of Jason Christie's *energy line,* Rycroft tallied 34 points on nine goals and 25 assists in 70 games.
*The effort and energy that Travis brings to the ice every night cannot be fully illustrated on a stat sheet,* said Christie. *His hard work and dedication to his teammates always pays off for him and the team.*
The 22-year-old Jelitto enters his second professional season and his second season with Utah after scoring seven goals and six assists for 13 points in 48 games last year with the Grizzlies.
*We are excited to have D.J. back with the Grizzlies,* said Christie. *Last year he worked very hard to earn a spot on our roster; then had a great season while battling several injuries.*
In 2005-2006, the Grizzlies were 5-2 when their *hometown boy* scored a goal. Jelitto's first professional point came in his second professional contest; a game-winning assist in overtime as Utah rallied 3-2 past the eventual Kelly Cup Champion Alaska Aces November 4, 2005 at the E-Center.
The Grizzlies will be holding a fan forum Thursday, August 31st at 7:00 p.m. at the Country Inn and Suites in West Valley City. Everyone is welcome to attend as Grizzlies management and Head Coach Jason Christie address fans in a town hall forum. For more information, call (801) 988-8043.
Utah opens their second ECHL season October 20 when they invade downtown Phoenix for a three-game-in-three-night set with the RoadRunners. The Grizzlies home opener is Friday, October 27 versus longtime rival Las Vegas.
