It's business as usual for the Utah Grizzlies.
The National Hockey League locked out its players Thursday after unanimous approval by owners Wednesday, a move that could shut down the entire season. However, the American Hockey League, which is in its 69th year as an independent league, remains in operation.
"We're going to operate this year with a high level of hockey," said Bob Hoffman, Grizzlies vice president of communications. "We'll play an 80-game schedule and the NHL lockout does not affect our season. It's bad for hockey, but it will not impact the Utah Grizzlies."
Most of the players supplied to the AHL are under NHL contract, according to AHL president and CEO Dave Andrews. Players on entry-level contracts can be assigned to AHL teams at any time, and were done so before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement. Players with more than three years of experience must be put on waivers before being assigned to an AHL team. Any player in the NHL who hasn't been assigned is now "locked" out, meaning their contract is suspended.
"We anticipate our player supply will be identical to that of any other year," Andrews said. "The quality of our player supply is probably a little bit higher.
"We're going to be obviously the strongest professional league playing in the world, but hopefully not for long. The sport is best served by the NHL playing."
This week, Utah NHL affiliate Phoenix assigned 21 players to Utah, including goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier, who was sent to the Grizzlies on Wednesday. On Sept. 6, Phoenix signed six players to AHL contracts, which leaves Utah's roster at 27.
Last season, Pelletier played in four games with the Coyotes and 43 with the Springfield Falcons, who were then the Phoenix AHL affiliate. He compiled a 2.69 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage with the Falcons, one of the league's poorest teams. He led all Falcon goalies in GAA, save percentage and shutouts (two). With the Coyotes, Pelletier registered his first career NHL win with 26 saves in a 3-2 victory versus Columbus on Feb. 20.
The Coyotes acquired the 6-foot-3, 209-pound netminder from Carolina with a conditional draft choice in exchange for goaltender Patrick DesRochers on Dec. 31, 2002. Pelletier was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round (30th overall) of the 1997 Entry Draft.
Contributing: Aaron Shill, Linda Hamilton