When the hell did Utah trade Mark Pavli?

Mark Pavli was traded to the Stockton Thunder on Thursday. WTF?

So, we've had it driven into our skulls all season that the ECHL is a developmental league and trades happen. That's fine; we expect that. However, it seems that the only things developing on the Grizzlies' end are Colley's skills as a Wall Street day trader.

Think about it. Stoflet getting traded for Prokop who was traded for future considerations, Shea Guthrie traded to Florida for rights to an AHL player. Jason Dale was due to higher powers, but really . . . We follow this team religiously, consistantly, daily, but we don't even recognize most of the roster anymore.

Hell, we'll admit it. We're biased. We liked Pavli a lot. It was nice to see someone playing their guts out during every shift over that last slump when over half the team couldn't be bothered to show up. We won't claim he was the best player or having the greatest season, but every time Pavli was on the roster, we knew we'd have something to watch. He stuck up for his teammates, played a gritty, hard game, and seemed incredibly easy-going with fan interactions. It would be an understatement to say that he has been a fan favorite during his time here in Utah. And while we understand that a team can't be based around fan expectations (see Calgary, Theo Fleury), the fans should be able to expect some balance from their hockey club.

Yes, we are in a developmental league; we're feed for the farm teams. But in our opinion, the organization also has a responsibility to make their own playoffs, compete for the Kelly Cup, and allow the community to identify with their home team. How can we possibly identify with our team if, as dedicated fans, we have no idea who's stepping onto the ice to represent said team?

Just from the rumor mill, it sounds like this was a hard trade to make for everyone involved and was necessary due to the influx of contract players from the higher leagues. It still pretty much ruined our day.

Luck, Pavli!


Other Transactions:

Defenseman Peter Aston was assigned to Utah by the Florida Panthers last week. In his debut with the Grizzlies on 1/22/10 at the E Center, he tallied two assists for a multipoint night. So far, so good for the blueliner.

Jake Gannon and James Sixsmith have been called up to the AHL. Gannon will join the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Sixsmith has been loaned to the Milwaukee Admirals. Luck, Gannon and Sixsmith!

Dylan Hunter returned to the ice on the 23rd against Ontario and proved once again how essential he is to the team. Hunter picked up two assists in his first game back.

The Grizzlies have signed defenseman Chris Allen to a contract. Allen has been playing with the EIHL in the UK this past season, but has a strong background in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL. He will also add some height to the team average, standing tall at 6'3". Nice.


**note: Sorry for the lack of updates; life hasn't been kind.