WEST VALLEY CITY — The Grizzlies rekindled an old flame Tuesday at the E Center.
Head coach and director of hockey operations Jason Christie announced that the Grizzlies have reached an affiliation agreement with the NHL's New York Islanders. Utah will also serve as an affiliate for the Islanders' AHL team in Bridgeport, Conn.
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are a level above the Grizzlies. If this seems like deja vu for Grizzlies fans, it's because it is. The Grizzlies were affiliated with the Islanders from 1994-98, the glory years of the Grizzlies franchise.
"There's no one better to do it with, than the New York Islanders," said Christie.
It's easy to see why Christie would think that. During its last affiliation with the Islanders, the Grizzlies won two IHL Turner Cup Championships and had a .636 winning percentage. After a dissatisfying first couple of years in the ECHL, the Grizz are ready to get back to their winning ways.
After going solo for two years with no parent club, Christie believes the connection with New York will help steer them in the right direction.
"It will be beneficial to our organization to once again have an affiliation," Christie said in a news release. "We will look to develop players for the next level in a winning environment."
As far as the players go, some will be provided by the Islanders and some will be free-agent signings. Christie thinks the affiliation will provide more motivation and better competition among his players, too. If players know that performing well will give them a shot to move up within the organization, then it gives them more incentive to improve their games. Going to the NHL becomes more of a realistic possibility.
The excitement in this partnership isn't one-sided, though. The Islanders seem to be extremely happy as well.
"It's a vision of the organization to try and build from within and then tweak with free agents," said Toby O'Brien, scout for the Islanders. "It's about developing young players."
Facilities seemed to be a factor in the decision for New York as well.
"We wanted our guys in a facility, an area, where they can succeed," said O'Brien. "This may be one of the nicest facilities in minor league hockey."
Now Utah hopes a blast from the past will launch them into championship contention again. If it does, then everyone will remember Tuesday at the E Center as one of the take-off points.
NOTES: The Grizzlies also released the 2007-08 schedule which kicks off Oct. 19 at Pheonix. The home opener is Oct. 26 against Idaho. Indiana will name a law school building in honor of Grizzlies owner David G. Elmore and son D.G. Elmore. The pair donated $3 million to the school, which will be used to fund scholarships for students interested in business law. The IU clinic will be formally renamed the Elmore Entrepreneurship Law Clinic during an Oct. 5 ceremony.
E-mail: nstorey@desnews.com