| Gaylord Grizzlies | |
|---|---|
| City | Gaylord, Michigan |
| League | North American Hockey League |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Folded | 2003 |
| Home arena | Otsego County Sportsplex |
| Colors | Blue, black and brown |
| Head coach | Brent Jarrett |
| Franchise history | |
| 1991–1995 | Saginaw Gears |
| 1995–1998 | Gaylord Grizzlies |
| 1998–2000 | Grand Rapids Bearcats |
| 2000 | Grand Rapids Rockets |
| 2000–2003 | Capital Centre Pride |
The Gaylord Grizzlies were a junior ice hockey team that played in the North American Hockey League. The team played out of the Otsego County Sportsplex in Gaylord, Michigan.
In the middle of their 5th season, the Saginaw Gears were sold and relocated to Gaylord, Michigan, immediately assuming a new identity as the Gaylord Grizzlies. For the team's first full season in their new home, the club brought in Marty Howe, the son of the legendary Gordie Howe, as the Grizzlies head coach. [1] Positive results were infrequent so the club then turned to Brent Jarrett for the following season. The club fell even further in the standings and had average crowds of less than 550 for the season. The team was then sold once more and relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | PTS | GF | GA | Finish | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–96* | 46 | 20 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 47 | 167 | 170 | 6th of 8, NAHL | Lost Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Detroit Freeze) |
| 1996–97 | 46 | 16 | 26 | – | 4 | 36 | 165 | 206 | t-6th of 8, NAHL | Lost Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Soo Indians) |
| 1997–98 | 56 | 14 | 36 | – | 6 | 34 | 159 | 228 | 8th of 9, NAHL | Lost Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Springfield Jr. Blues) |
* The team relocated to Gaylord in December of 1995