WEST VALLEY CITY — Former New York Islanders forward Kevin Colley has been named the assistant coach of the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL.
The Grizzlies begin this season, their third in the ECHL, as an affiliate of the Islanders.
Colley replaces Greg Spenrath, who exits the Utah organization following one season as the assistant. The 28-year-old Colley comes to Utah after retiring as an Islander on Feb. 24, 2006, due to an injury sustained three weeks earlier.
His rookie season was 2005-2006. He played 16 games and recorded 52 penalty minutes for the Islanders. The native of Connecticut made his NHL debut Oct. 27, 2005. The Islanders signed him as a free agent on June 11, 2004.
In April 2006, Colley was honored with the Bob Nystrom Award, which is given to the Islander who best exemplifies leadership, hustle and dedication.
Colley played in 396 professional games, including 166 in the ECHL and 214 in the AHL. The 5-foot-11 forward tallied 117 goals and 140 assists for 257 points and 1,050 penalty minutes during his professional career.
He played in the ECHL with Charlotte, New Orleans, Pensacola, Dayton and Atlantic City; while logging AHL games with Bridgeport, Worcester, Syracuse, Rochester, Providence and Hartford.
"Kevin got his start as a player here in the ECHL and quickly advanced up the ranks to the New York Islanders," said Grizzlies' coach Jason Christie. "He has experience at all three levels, ECHL, AHL and NHL, and the players here will be able to relate to that as we develop them for the next step in their career."
"I look forward to learning a lot through Jason on the coaching and hockey operations side of the game," said Colley. "I am anxious to make the transition to coaching."