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AHL: Utah Grizzlies season preview

Written by: Keith Riskey on 10/07/2003 Subscribe to HF's RSS Feed

This year, Don Hay and the Utah Grizzlies hope to turn around what was a very lean and largely forgettable 2002-2003 season and playoff campaign.  Although last year's Grizzlies were able to just edge into the playoffs, their season was characterized by inconsistencies and average play.  Their quick playoff elimination was no doubt helped along by the Stars sudden recall of John Erskine, a defensive anchor and physical presence for the club, on the eve of postseason competition.  However, discipline, goaltending, and clutch scoring were weaknesses for Hay's team all season long. The team was among the least disciplined in the AHL, garnering the second most penalties in the league.  Goaltending, hitherto regarded as an organizational strength from the Dallas Stars on down to their farm clubs, was disappointing and inconsistent.  And the Grizzlies were the league's worst-performing team when trailing in a hockey game -- a testament to the players' perceived inability to create offense not driven by their competitors' mistakes or over-aggression.   

The outlook for improvement in 2003-04 is only modest. Quite simply, their talent base just isn't on par with some of the other teams in the AHL.  Dynamic wings like Antti Miettinen and Steve Ott are expected to stick with the Dallas Stars this year.   However, there are still many signs that this will be an improved season, both for the club and for the development of Dallas Stars prospects.

First, Utah coaching expects a more skilled, better skating hockey club.  Stars prospects like Mathias Tjarnqvist and Trevor Daley, one of the best skating defensemen drafted in the last few seasons, are expected to boost the overall talent quotient.  In addition, the Grizzlies coaching staff and a handful of the Dallas Stars prospects expected to play in Utah spent part of their preseason this summer in Sweden and Finland learning new techniques.  The drills in Scandinavia focused on free-flowing offensive skills, especially related to puck-possession and passing.  While these offensive skills are not likely to change players into dynamic free-skaters overnight, Coach Hay expects them to at least add something to a players' arsenal. 

Goaltending, another sore spot for last season's Grizzlies, should also improve this season.  Last year, highly regarded Dallas Stars prospect Jason Bacashihua had a disappointing season.  He finished with a very under whelming 3.15 GAA and a .907 save percentage, and was outplayed by journeyman Corey Hirsch.  However, this season the pressure is on Bacashihua to make great strides.  He will compete for the starting job against Dan Ellis, another highly regarded Stars prospect.  The fact that Ellis outplayed Bacashihua for stretches while training with the Dallas Stars this preseason raises some questions, but both "Cash" and Ellis have looked very good in camp and scrimmages so far for Utah.  The competition should be good for both Stars prospects, and both should combine for an improved Grizzlies goaltending core.  Expect a lot of dedication from these two this season, as a backup spot is expected to open up on the Stars roster sometime in the next few years.

A few skilled journeyman have also been added to the Grizzlies.  Tough winger Rob Valicevic (32) was signed in the offseason by the Stars after spending last season in the Anaheim Mighty Ducks system. As a call-up Valicevic scored a goal in 10 games with Anaheim (NHL). In 69 games with Cincinnati (AHL), the 6’2”, 208-pound forward scored 17 goals and had 26 assists. Valicevic is a veteran of 186 NHL games and is a former sixth round selection of the New Jersey Devils in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.  In addition, "Bubba" Berenzweig of Nashville and Tim Vetterburn of Los Angeles solidify the defensive core.  Mike Sgroi, a very experienced and intimidating pugilist, should also add some entertainment for Grizzlies fans.  A more competitive overall line-up should benefit Dallas Stars prospects training in Utah.  

One additional plus for the Utah Grizzlies this season is their renewed affiliation with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.  The Idaho Steelheads are a short, five hour drive from Salt Lake City, making call-ups and changes efficient and practical.    This proximity should make competition for jobs fierce and the organization more flexible for sudden call-ups by the Dallas Stars.    

While it's unlikely the Grizzlies will compete for the Calder Cup next season, improvements are expected. 

The Grizzlies open their AHL season Oct. 10 at home in the E Center against San Antonio. 

Stars Prospects to Watch

Trevor Daley: Daley is a breathtaking skater and an extremely talented defenseman on both sides of the ice.  Once thought of as a top 15 pick, the Stars managed a potential steal when they landed him in the second round of the draft a few seasons back (43rd overall).  For two consecutive preseasons Daley, who has not yet even played in the minors, completely impressed the Dallas Stars organization and survived all but the last cuts.  His progress will be followed very closely this season.  

Mathias Tjarnqvist: Mathias has suffered from a very up-and-down career, rebounding with strong play last season after struggles for ice time in Sweden and an extended bout with mononucleosis.   But the prospect acquired for Roman Turek has impressed Stars scouting and coaching in the past, as far back as Ken Hitchcock.  It should be interesting to see how Tjarnqvist adapts to the North American style of hockey. It is unlikely he will be an extremely productive forward in the NHL, but he could develop into a useful role player.   

Dan Ellis/Jason Bacashihua: It should be very interesting to follow the competition between these two highly regarded Stars prospects.  With a potential roster spot opening on the Dallas Stars in a year or two, both are strong candidates.  Both have had fine goaltending careers up to this point, and both have the natural ability required to become excellent goaltenders.    

Utah Grizzlies Roster

Name Pos Age DOB Ht Wt Birthplace
Bacashihua, Jason G 21 9/20/1982 5'11 175 Garden City, Michigan
Bararuk, David LW 20 5/26/1983 6'0 180 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Bateman, Jeff C 22 8/29/1981 5'11 184 Belleville, Ontario
Berenzweig, Andrew D 25 8/8/1977 6'1 217 Arlington Heights, Illinois
Cox, Justin RW 22 3/13/1981 6'0 173 Merritt, British Columbia
Daley, Trevor D 20 10/9/1983 5'10 201 Toronto, Ontario
Darby, Regan D 23 7/17/1980 6'2 200 Estevan, Saskatchewan
Draney, Brett LW 23 3/12/1981 6'1 195 Merritt, British Columbia
Ellis, Daniel G 21 6/19/1980 6'0 185 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Gainey, Steve LW 24 1/26/1979 6'1 192 Montreal, Quebec
Gove, David C 25 5/4/1978 5'9 190 Centerville, Massachusetts
Heisten, Barrett RW 23 3/19/1980 6'1 200 Anchorage, Alaska
Jancevski, Dan D 21 6/15/1981 6'3 212 Windsor, Ontario
Konopka, Zenon LW 22 1/2/1981 6'0 190 Niagra Falls, Ontario
Macmillan, Jeff D 24 3/30/1979 6'3 206 Durham, Ontario
Oliver, David RW 32 4/17/1971 6'0 190 Sechelt, British Columbia
Peters, Warren C 21 7/10/1982 6'0 201 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Sgroi, Michael RW 25 8/14/1978 6'5 230 Orlando, Florida
Skalde, Jarrod C 32 2/26/1971 6'0 285 Niagara Falls, Ontario
Smith, Michael G 21 3/22/1982 6'3 189 Kingston, Ontario
St. Jacques, Chris C 20 1/22/1983 5'8 181 Edmonton, Alberta
Stafford, Garrett D 23 1/28/1980 5'11 170 Los Angeles, California
Tjarnqvist, Mathias RW 24 4/15/1979 6'1 183 Umea, Sweden
Valisevic, Rob RW 32 1/6/1971 6'2 208 Detroit, Michigan
Wedderburn, Tim D 22 6/29/1981 6'1 212 Okotoks, Alberta
Wotton, Mark D 29 11/16/1973 6'1 195 Foxwarren, Manitoba

Copyright 2003 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.

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