The 2003-04 season was a disappointing one for the Utah Grizzlies. The club struggled offensively all season and only managed to score 162 goals, second-worst in the entire league. Utah finished with only 65 points and found themselves the sole occupants of last place in the American Hockey League’s West Division for the second consecutive year.

Disappointment has been replaced by optimism as the Grizzlies enter the 2004-05 season, their fourth in the American Hockey League. Breaking ties with previous affiliate Dallas Stars, the team signed a new affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League’s Phoenix Coyotes during the offseason, ushering in a new era of professional hockey in Salt Lake City. Laurence Gilman was introduced as Utah’s general manager in June and two former NHL players were added to the coaching staff. Pat Conacher was named the Grizzlies head coach while Gord Dineen was hired on as assistant coach and director of hockey operations.

Goaltending

The future of Phoenix Coyotes goaltending begins and ends with one man, David LeNeveu. After posting spectacular numbers in two seasons at Cornell University, the 21-year-old netminder made a seamless transition to professional hockey with the AHL Springfield Falcons last season. LeNeveu, the Coyotes second round pick (46^th overall) in 2002, registered a solid 2.76 goals against average and .917 save percentage in 38 games for the Falcons. The Fernie, British Columbia native is expected to handle the starting duties for the Grizzlies this season with veteran Jean-Marc Pelletier backing him up. The 26-year-old Pelletier returns for his sixth season of AHL play and should provide solid goaltending when called upon.

Defense

After a stellar collegiate career at the University of Minnesota, Keith Ballard will make his professional debut with the Grizzlies this year. Originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round (11^th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Ballard was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche at the 2004 trade deadline. Despite his small stature (5’11, 200 pounds) the 23-year-old has put up big offensive numbers wherever he’s played and it won’t be long before he makes the jump to NHL action.

Matthew Spiller joins Ballard as one of the Grizzlies top defensive prospects. The Daysland, Alberta native gained valuable NHL experience last season, appearing in 51 games for the Phoenix Coyotes. The towering 6’5, 233-pound Spiller will be an intimidating presence along the Utah blue line. Joe Callahan, the Coyotes third round pick (70^th overall) in 2002, has increased his point totals each of the past three seasons at Yale. Last season, the 21-year-old posted 20 points in 31 games for the Bulldogs and decided to forego his final year of college eligibility to further his development at the professional level.

Dustin Wood will be looking to build on a solid rookie season with the Springfield Falcons. The 23-year-old should be involved in competition for playing time all season. Offensive defenseman Jonathan Zion is hoping to find a permanent home on the Grizzlies roster. The Nepean, Ontario native has bounced around the last two seasons, suiting up for seven clubs in both the AHL and ECHL during that time.

The duo of Nikos Tselios and Rick Berry will provide veteran leadership and a steadying influence. Berry benefited from 65 games with the Washington Capitals last season. Tselios has seen his stock slowly decline since being drafted 22^nd overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997.

Forwards

Swedish winger Fredrik Sjostrom, the Coyotes first round pick (11^th overall) in 2001, made some huge strides towards establishing himself as an NHL regular last season. The 6’1, 214-pound speedster appeared in 57 games for Phoenix and showed good poise adjusting to the quickness and physical nature of NHL play. Sjostrom will be a major component of the Grizzlies offense this season and should benefit from increased ice time in a variety of situations. Jason Jaspers joins the Grizzlies after spending his last three seasons with the Springfield Falcons. The 23-year-old center tied for second in team scoring last year, posting 38 points in 58 games.

Every team wants big, physical centers and Utah should benefit from the presence of four huge prospects down the middle. The mammoth Kiel McLeod (6’5, 240 pounds) enjoyed a solid rookie season last year for the Springfield Falcons. The Sherwood Park, Alberta native loves physical play and creating traffic in front of opposing goaltenders. Martin Podlesak is also looking to improve on a fine rookie campaign with Springfield. The 6’6, 208-pound Czech needs to add weight and muscle to increase his effectiveness in the middle. Jakub Joreis, a first round pick (18^th overall) of the Coyotes in 2002, may be the most talented and exciting player of the four. The 6’3, 213-pound Czech made his North American debut with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League last season, posting a respectable 38 points in 48 games played. Koreis has dazzled coaches at the Grizzlies training camp and may have earned himself an expanded role with the Grizzlies. Rounding out the big four is 6’3, 212-pound Randall Gelech. Only 20 years old, Gelech has spent the past four seasons with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL. The Wynard, Saskatchewan native may find himself the odd man out because of the Grizzlies depth at the center position. These four should battle for playing time all season long.

Looking to improve offensive production, the Grizzlies acquired veteran wingers Martin Sonnenberg, Jonathan Sim and Sheldon Keefe during the offseason. Sonnenberg posted 42 points in 48 games for the Lowell Lock Monsters last year. Sim returns to the Grizzlies after splitting time between the Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins last season. Keefe, drafted 47^th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1999, has an abundance of talent but he’s been unable to secure a spot in the NHL. Grizzlies fans are hoping he can put up huge numbers this season without the added pressure of playing his way onto an NHL club. Each of these veterans should contribute offensively while helping to take defensive pressure off of the Grizzlies prospects.

Erik Westrum is coming off a stellar performance at the 2004 IIHF World Championships in Prague and should be one of Utah’s main offensive weapons. Jeff Taffe finds himself back in the AHL thanks to the NHL lockout. Currently, the 23-year-old center is the only Grizzlies player guaranteed to return to the Phoenix Coyotes whenever NHL play resumes. Mike Stutzel will line up on the left wing for Utah this season. The Victoria, British Columbia native will provide energy and chip in offensively. Winger Doug Doull will inject some much-needed muscle into the Grizzlies lineup. The 30-year-old Doull doesn’t back down from anyone, racking up 132 PIMs in 35 games for the Boston Bruins last season.

Outlook

The Grizzlies will feature a healthy mix of productive veterans and promising youngsters this season. The goaltending and defense are stocked with solid performers and the center position will be the deepest in the 11-year history of the franchise. After two seasons of mediocre play the Grizzlies appear poised to contend for the top spot in the AHL’s West Division.

Last season, the Phoenix Coyotes’ lack of depth and abundance of injuries led to prospects Matthew Spiller and Fredrik Sjostrom being advanced to the NHL level prematurely. These prospects will have the chance to gain confidence with the Grizzlies this season.

The Grizzlies open their season at home on October 13^th against the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks.

Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.