Reader comments: Utah Grizzlies have best season in 12 years

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Growl Grizz Fan | 11:34 a.m. June 6, 2008
Way to go boys! Thanks for a much improved season.

Hockey has it's core followers that will come no matter the out come (believe me I have suffered through a few seasons). The real challenge is to grow the fan base, a winning season and a post season run like this year helps. However with an average attendance of just over 3,800 in a building that seats around 10,000 it can seem sparse. I work encourage the sales team to keep the Student passes- Might to need to raise the price a little to avoid giving away to much 30 games for $48. It still needs to be affordable and many of the fan base will come from youth programs and high schools.

Can't wait for the 140 days to the start of next season. I may have to catch some of the county league games or the various drop in nights.
KC | 12:11 p.m. June 6, 2008
I agree, the student passes were a great idea. I had one last season and enjoyed it so much that my wife and I have already picked up full season tickets for next season.
Grizzlie Fan #1 | 1:11 p.m. June 6, 2008
No one likes to loose, ever. But it is much easier to accept if the other team beats your best effort. There were only a few times durring the season that I would say that 100% was not being given. For the very most part, the effort was there and that is what I want to see. With that sustaned effort, the wins will come. Thanks for a very enjoyable year and we will see you next year. I would very much like to see the Islander remain as the parent club of the Grizzlies. I also think that the student passes was a great idea and should be retained.
Comments continue below
JMWSLC | 1:46 p.m. June 6, 2008
I think the organization as a whole is headed in the right direction. Having a winning team helps, but the game experience improved as the year went on. The Grizzlies are making a nice transition to a marketing organization; I hope that trend continues. My wife and I are looking forward to next season; we have already purchased our season seats for 2008-2009. Nice coverage in the Deseret News. The Salt Alke Tribune could take some cues from that.
Mr.-O | 6:59 p.m. June 10, 2008
Thanks for an amazing season Grizz! It's disapointing that this city doesn't come out more to support the team. I guess that's what happens when you live in a basketball-state. My girlfriend and I have our season tickets and are excited for the 2008-2009 season. I hope more people expand their horizons and help fill some seats for next season! Maybe if the E Center security didn't take they're jobs so seriously, allowed the fans to cheer and enjoy themselves and remembered that IT'S A HOCKEY GAME, more people would be inclined to attend.
P.S. The Grizzlies need to start selling merch in more places than just the E Center!!
PaulS | 1:56 a.m. June 15, 2008
That was a great season! I can only hope that there are more like it to come. I have been a season ticket holder since the E center came in to being, and I can only agree with the sentiment that the security boy's get a little carried away with their duties at times. Let us have a little fun once in a while! They are obviously hired by the city, not by the team and don't care about what happens during the game, as long as they can be in charge. I hope we will be allowed to watch some great hockey in the future without the threat of a "red shirt" ruining the experience. Great job guys! You know who you are. The team was fantastic this year. Everyone who attended should be proud. I hope next season will be as exciting, and I have no reason to think it won't be. Go Grizz!!!

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Grizzlies' James Sanford, Ryan Kinasewich and Andrew MacDonald celebrate a goal in the playoffs. Utah was 8-7 in the playoffs. (Ashley Lowery, Deseret News)
Ashley Lowery, Deseret News
Grizzlies' James Sanford, Ryan Kinasewich and Andrew MacDonald celebrate a goal in the playoffs. Utah was 8-7 in the playoffs.