Utah Grizzlies Bid Farewell to Maverik Center After Decades of Hockey Tradition

Fans reflect on the team's impact as the minor league franchise relocates to New Jersey.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:52pm

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An abstract, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game at the Maverik Center, with the players, fans, and arena architecture broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, capturing the raw emotion and energy of the final Grizzlies game.As the Utah Grizzlies take the ice for the final time at the Maverik Center, their legacy as a beloved community team is reflected in the fractured, geometric energy of the arena.Salt Lake City Today

The Utah Grizzlies played their final game at the Maverik Center on Sunday, closing a three-decade run that made minor league hockey a family tradition for generations of Utah fans. Thousands filled the arena for one last farewell, sharing memories and celebrating the team's place in the community, despite the disappointment of the franchise's relocation to Trenton, New Jersey.

Why it matters

The Grizzlies' departure marks the end of an era for minor league hockey in Utah, which had become a beloved part of the state's sports culture. Fans hope professional hockey will continue at the Maverik Center, even as the NHL's Utah franchise expands the sport's presence in the state.

The details

The Grizzlies moved to Utah in 1995 and have called the Maverik Center home since 1997. The team was sold to Pro Hockey Partners last July, and new ownership soon announced the franchise would relocate to Trenton, New Jersey, ending the Grizzlies' time in Utah. Despite the disappointment, fans packed the stands for the final game, cheering until the very end as the Grizzlies tied the Rapid City Rush to force overtime before ultimately falling short.

  • The Utah Grizzlies played their final game at the Maverik Center on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • The Grizzlies moved to Utah in 1995 and have called the Maverik Center home since 1997.
  • The Grizzlies were sold to Pro Hockey Partners last July.

The players

Keith Colledge

A longtime Grizzlies fan who has attended games since the franchise's early years and brought his family along.

Brawnson Holtkamp

A Grizzlies fan who appreciated the team's blue-collar, family-friendly atmosphere.

Max Olson

A fan who believes that supporting the Grizzlies is a shared experience for those who grew up in Utah.

Pro Hockey Partners

The new ownership group that purchased the Grizzlies and announced the franchise's relocation to Trenton, New Jersey.

Rapid City Rush

The opposing team that faced the Grizzlies in their final game at the Maverik Center.

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What they’re saying

“We've been coming to the Grizzlies since day one and brought the kids along.”

— Keith Colledge, Longtime Grizzlies fan

“Blue collar people could afford to come here and enjoy the game, get a couple beers, food, whatever. It was awesome. It was hardcore. Hockey was fighting. It was talking trash, doing everything we needed.”

— Brawnson Holtkamp, Grizzlies fan

“It's kind of like our parents took the best toy away from us.”

— Brawnson Holtkamp, Grizzlies fan

“They had us out of our seats. It didn't turn out our way, but the comeback was amazing.”

— Keith Colledge, Longtime Grizzlies fan

“If you're a fan of the Grizzlies, it's because you grew up here in Utah. Everyone who supports the Grizzlies has something bigger in common than just hockey.”

— Max Olson, Grizzlies fan

What’s next

Fans hope that professional hockey will continue at the Maverik Center, even as the NHL's Utah franchise expands the sport's presence in the state. The community is eager to see if another minor league team will take the Grizzlies' place in the arena.

The takeaway

The Utah Grizzlies' departure marks the end of an era for minor league hockey in the state, but their legacy as a beloved community team that brought generations of fans together will endure. The team's impact on Utah's sports culture and the accessibility it provided for families to enjoy the sport will be missed.