The Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL have announced they will be leaving Utah after the 2025-26 season.
For years, the Grizzlies were the only hockey team in the state until the Utah Hockey Club (now the Mammoth) arrived for the 2024-25 season. After this year, though, the Mammoth will stand alone, as the Grizzlies will relocate to Trenton, New Jersey once the season comes to a close.
It’s the end of an era. For 30 years, the Grizzlies played a key role in growing the game of hockey in Utah. They were the team that brought fans into the rink, taught them the sport, and gave them a reason to fall in love with it. The Mammoth will carry that torch moving forward, but it’s tough knowing fans could have had both teams to watch and support.
The move has been looming for a while. After the passing of founder David Elmore in 2023, and with the health of his wife, Donna Tuttle, now in decline, it seemed like only a matter of time before a relocation became unavoidable.
D.G. Elmore released a statement on the decision to move the franchise to Trenton:
“This was a difficult decision, but it is one that we feel is in the best long-term interest of the franchise,” Elmore said. “Our focus right now is entirely on the fans and the community that have supported us for three decades. We are dedicated to delivering the best possible experience for our final season and celebrating the incredible memories we’ve made together.”
With this being the Grizzlies’ last season in Utah, fans will want to take the chance to see them one more time before the move. We’ll continue to follow the story and share updates on the relocation as more details come out.
