To those in the hockey heartland of Canada, the idea of a passionate fan base for the sport in Utah might seem ridiculous, a bit like Nebraskans raving about their love of snowboarding.
To dispel that notion, take a quick spin around the Anaheim Ducks' locker room. The Ducks, who open the Stanley Cup Finals on Monday against the Ottawa Senators, have three strong ties to Utah hockey.
In one corner of the room is defenseman Ric Jackman, alumnus of the 2000-01 Grizzlies, who beams with a gap-toothed smile as he recalls the city's knowledgeable fans and his illicit ski trips to Park City.
On the other side is Scott Niedermayer, one of the NHL's top defensemen, who played only five games for the Grizzlies, during a 1998 contract holdout, but still fondly recalls his only minor-league experience.
In the coaches' office is assistant coach Dave Farrish, who in 1994 guided the Salt Lake Golden Eagles through their 25th and final season and still has a jersey from that team hanging in a closet at home.
If things go well for the Ducks over the next two weeks, Utah can claim a small piece of the Stanley Cup.
"I have great memories of playing there,'' Jackman said. "It's one of the most beautiful cities I've had a chance to play in. The people were great and going to that arena every day, it was like an NHL atmosphere. For being in the minors, the
organization really took care of their players.''
When Jackman arrived in Salt Lake City in 2000, he was 22 years old, trying to establish himself as an NHL defenseman. He totaled nine goals and 19 assists in 57 games with the Grizzlies, and also played 16 games with the NHL's Dallas Stars that season. Dallas traded him to Boston in June 2001.
Six years later, Jackman is still attempting to be an NHL regular. Beset by injuries, he appeared in just 31 games this season, but scored a huge goal for the Ducks in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
On the verge of his hockey dream, Jackman recalled his year in Utah and the times he snuck away for a ski day, something frowned upon by team owners because of injury risks.
"It was nice to get up to Park City and see the sights, especially with the film festivals going on,'' Jackman said. "A couple of us guys went up there and enjoyed a little bit of that. It was a fun experience.''
Niedermayer never quite made it to Park City. Already a veteran of six full NHL seasons and one Stanley Cup-winning team, Niedermayer had rough contract negotiations with New Jersey in the summer of 1998.
When a deal had not been reached by October, Niedermayer signed a 25-game contract with the Grizzlies, then members of the IHL. Niedermayer had a business relationship with one of the Grizzlies' coaches.
Niedermayer didn't stay long - he reached an agreement with the Devils just 11 days after he signed with the Grizzlies - but said he enjoyed his time in the minors. Niedermayer had made the jump from junior hockey to the NHL at age 19 and never got to experience the rite of North American minor league hockey.
"Even though it was only two weeks,'' Niedermayer said, "it was fun to have that experience and know what it was like to play at that level. There were a lot of great players and people in that organization.
"The team and the players were really great. Obviously it was a little different for them, having a player come in while the season had already been going on, but they made it very easy for me.''
Farrish's connection to Utah runs longer and deeper. An assistant coach with the Devils in 1992-93 - Niedermayer's rookie season - Farrish was hired to coach the IHL's Golden Eagles the following season.
It would be easy for Farrish to wince at the memory. The Golden Eagles finished with a 24-52-5 record, worst in its 10-year IHL history and among the worst in its 25-year franchise history. Worse, one month before the season ended, owner Larry Miller announced that the team would be sold and moved to Detroit.
"It wasn't very memorable from the hockey side of it, but I loved my time there,'' Farrish said. "I was disappointed when they sold the franchise because I felt that was a place where I could live for the rest of my life, no problem. I love the skiing and love the outdoors. I'd go back there in a heartbeat.''
Farrish recalled the Golden Eagles' final game in Salt Lake City, one that drew 14,144 fans, a record for a pro hockey game in Utah. The Golden Eagles beat the San Diego Gulls in a shootout at the Delta Center.
"It was a sad day for a lot of hockey fans,'' Farrish said. "There were a lot of die-hard fans, some really knowledgeable hockey fans and it was a great spot. All of our players loved it there. I loved the city and the skiing: Park City, Snowbird, Alta, all those great spots.''
Farrish moved on, and spent 10 more seasons as a head coach in the minor leagues. This is his first season as an assistant under Ducks coach Randy Carlyle. Farrish and Niedermayer were reunited in Anaheim and joined by Jackman, who is close to achieving a dream that barely registered on his radar during his time in Utah.
* Age: 28
* Position: Defenseman
* Utah tie: Played 57 games for Utah Grizzlies (IHL) in 2000-01 (9 goals, 19 assists).
* After Utah: Traded to Dallas Stars organization in summer of 2001. Played for Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers before a midseason trade to the Anaheim Ducks this year.
* Where is he now: Appeared in 24 regular-season games with the Anaheim Ducks this season and had one goal and 10 assists. Has appeared in three playoff games and scored one goal.
SCOTT NIEDERMAYER
* Before Utah: Played 22 games with Dallas Stars in 1999-2000 and three seasons with Michigan of the IHL.
* Age: 33
* Position: Defenseman
* Utah tie: Played five games for Utah Grizzlies (IHL) in 1998 (zero goals, two assists) during contract holdout with New Jersey.
* After Utah: Played five seasons with New Jersey Devils; won Stanley Cup in 2000 and 2003 and won Norris Trophy as NHL's top defenseman in 2004.
* Where is he now: Signed with Anaheim Ducks in 2005 and is a Norris Trophy finalist.
DAVE FARRISH
* Age: 50
* Position: Assistant coach
* Utah tie: Head coach of Salt Lake Golden Eagles (IHL) in 1993-94; coached team to 24-52-5 record in its final season of existence.
* After Utah: Spent 10 years as a head coach in IHL (Fort Wayne), AHL (Springfield) and ECHL (Louisiana and Pensacola).
* Where is he now: Concluding first season as assistant coach with Anaheim Ducks.
ANAHEIM, Calif.