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Utah Grizzlies to Resume Play Following ECHL Union Agreement

The Utah Grizzlies will return to play after a players' strike ends with a new agreement.

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WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – The Utah Grizzlies hockey team is set to return to the ice this week after resolving a players' strike involving the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the Professional Hockey Players' Association (PHPA). On Saturday night, the ECHL announced that a tentative collective bargaining agreement has been reached with the PHPA. While details of the agreement have not been disclosed, it remains subject to ratification by both the PHPA's ECHL membership and the ECHL Board of Governors. Despite this, the league indicated that players will report to their teams in good faith. A spokesperson for the Utah Grizzlies confirmed on Sunday that their schedule will resume, starting with an away game in Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday. The PHPA had announced the strike last week, citing concerns such as pay and equipment issues, which led to the postponement of a scheduled home game on Friday. The Grizzlies are currently working on rescheduling that game against the Idaho Steelheads. This season marks the final campaign for the Grizzlies at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, as the team has been sold and will relocate to New Jersey under new ownership. The franchise's move has been confirmed, and the team is preparing for its last games in Utah. Fans are eager to see how the season unfolds as the Grizzlies look to finish strong in their remaining matches, despite the recent disruptions. The resolution of the strike brings a sense of relief to both players and fans alike, allowing for a return to the ice and the continuation of the hockey season in Utah.