It's official. The Utah Grizzlies have joined the American Hockey League.
The Grizz and five other International Hockey League franchises — Chicago, Grand Rapids, Houston, Manitoba and Milwaukee — were formally admitted to the AHL at a board of governors meeting in Springfield, Mass., Monday morning.
"We are thrilled to welcome the Utah Grizzlies to the American Hockey League," said AHL president Dave Andrews. "This strategic expansion will further enhance the American Hockey League's position as the primary development league for National Hockey League clubs. It will provide further strength to the AHL brand and enhance sales and marketing potential through the addition of six strong new markets in a significantly expanded geography. The league becomes stronger in Canada and the Midwest, while enjoying the future growth opportunities provided by expanding its footprint westward."
Citing a desire and financial commitment to remain at minor league hockey's top level, Grizzlies president Tim Mouser said team owners Dave Elmore and Donna Tuttle are pleased with the stability the new AHL brings.
"Obviously the way it was before didn't work," Mouser said of the IHL's financial difficulties. "I think it's a move that at the end of the day will be great for the consolidation of minor league hockey. It should be a great situation. It's very exciting."
Utah and the other five IHL transfers will form their own division in the AHL, thus protecting rivalries. The AHL, which is primarily based in the East, will have 27 teams this season. Three inactive franchises are expected to come on line for 2002-03, giving the league 30 — enough for each NHL team to have a single primary affiliate. That's been a goal NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has long hoped to achieve. Utah will continue its affiliation with the Dallas Stars.
"It gives us a chance to be part of a Triple-A association with hockey that will parallel that of baseball," said Elmore. "I think it was a step that was needed for the consolidation of minor league hockey."
Team officials looked into joining the upstart West Coast Hockey League, but the decision was made to remain in a union with their former IHL partners. It also ensured Utah would remain a primary NHL afffiliate.
"With our situation right now, we just felt the American League was the best way for us to go," said Mouser.
Despite increased travel associated with the move and the fact that no other team in the league is closer than 1,400 miles from Utah, Mouser and the Grizzlies are optimistic it will work financially.
"We're not in this to lose money," said Mouser, who believes western NHL teams such as Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose, Colorado and Phoenix will eventually chose to have its affiliates closer to home as hockey stretches its fan base geographically. "We'd struggle if the National Hockey League didn't have teams out here."
As such, Elmore expects the addition of Utah to serve as the first step toward AHL migration west. Some smaller market franchises in the East may end up relocating in southern California, Las Vegas or northern locales such as Sacramento or Portland.
Though Utah initially will be a lone outpost in the West, Elmore said the Grizzlies won't subsidize travel like the Salt Lake Golden Eagles had to when they joined the IHL in 1984. Such costs will be spread out among all franchises.
The IHL announced Monday that it would cease operations after 56 years. With its six strongest franchises joining the AHL and Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City and Orlando folding or moving to lower levels, the financially troubled league had little or no options. The decision was made during a board of governors conference call on Friday.
"It is with great sadness that I make this announcement," IHL president Douglas G. Moss said in a released statement. "With the landscape of minor league hockey continuing to evolve, the league's board of governors determined that this was a necessary decision."
Though the IHL won't officially dissolve until Oct. 1, day-to-day operations ceased immediately. The league will use the remaining time to wind up its affairs.
Founded in 1945, the IHL began with just four teams — two in Detroit and two in neighboring Windsor, Ontario. It eventually grew to 19 teams throughout the United States and Canada in 1996-96 before financial hardship reduced membership to just 11 in its final season.
Salt Lake joined the IHL in 1984 and remained in the league until 1994 when the franchise was sold and moved to Auburn Hills, Mich. Less than 16 months later, the Denver Grizzlies relocated to Salt Lake City. They went on to win the Turner Cup in their first season in Utah.
E-MAIL: dirk@desnews.com