Grizzlies Sign Utah-Born Goalie Garrett Metcalf
Mar 18, 2021, 11:47 AM
Photo: KSL Sports Sportsbeat
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Grizzlies have signed Salt Lake-born goalie Garrett Metcalf to a PTO (pro try out) contract.
PTO contracts are short-term deals that pay a per-diem and expire after 25 games. However, they can be renewed and are most often used early in the season for players looking for AHL or NHL jobs or amateur players, usually graduating juniors.
Metcalf just finished the season for the NCAA’s Long Island University where he was pursuing a Master’s Degree. He has played 4 seasons of NCAA hockey for 3 different universities Umass Lowell (2016-2017), Mercyhurst (2018-2020) and Long Island in their first season in NCAA Division 1.
🚨Grizz have a busy week with new player acquisitions🚨
Garrett Metcalf – Metcalf was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 6th round (179th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.Thread continues below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JDjcl8ReJC
— Utah Grizzlies (@UtahGrizzlies) March 18, 2021
“I fell in love with the game at the E-Center (now the Maverick Center),” Metcalf told KSL Sports. “I watched my dad ref there for as long as I can remember. Pretty cool to be with the team I grew up watching and idolizing.”
Metcalf’s father is Steve Metcalf who has been a referee for local teams as well as for the Eagles and Grizzlies.
#MondayMood #GoGrizzGo🐻🏒 pic.twitter.com/oaOBJ7nKcV
— Utah Grizzlies (@UtahGrizzlies) March 15, 2021
“My dad is a pretty even-keeled guy but, he said ‘awesome’ when I told him, so I knew he was happy,” Metcalf described the moment he told his dad he signed with the Grizzlies.
Metcalf rejoins his former pee wee teammate Jared Pike, the other Utah-born player on the Grizzlies roster.
From the beginning of Metcalf’s post-high school career, it seemed he was destined to play for the Grizzlies when he was drafted by the Ducks in 2015 who were then affiliated with the Grizzlies. That dream halted when the Grizzlies moved on the be the ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.
But it all came together in the end for Metcalf, he suits up for his home team this week.
The Grizzlies play in Rapid City this weekend but will be home to host Tulsa on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, March 24 – 28.
Utah Puck Report is a podcast all about Utah hockey, from interviews with NHL stars to which Grizzlies players are about to take the next step, Utah Puck Report has everything for a Utah hockey fan. Find it wherever you find podcasts or on KSLSports.com. The show is hosted by KSL Sports’ hockey insider, Jay Stevens.
