Good Morning ULG,

As we gear up for another exciting season, I want to share some important updates regarding our organization.

First, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Shannon Bennett, who has made the difficult decision to transition from her role as Director of Hockey. Shannon's dedication, vision, and relentless passion have been the driving force behind the growth and success of girls' hockey in Utah for many years. We’re fortunate that Shannon will continue to serve as a special advisor to the Board and coaching staff, as well as volunteer with our 19UT1 team. On behalf of the Board and our entire community, thank you, Shannon, for your unwavering commitment to growing girls' hockey in Utah. You’ve truly made a lasting difference for so many.

Here’s a note from Shannon:

"Thank you, Utah Lady Grizzlies Families. I have truly enjoyed working with ULG and furthering opportunities for girls' hockey in Utah. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my goals in growing the Utah Lady Grizzlies Organization and growing girls' hockey in Utah. It has been an honor to support all of the athletes, coaches, and families in this endeavor. ULG is in an incredible position moving forward with a solid foundation, extraordinary coaching staff, and strong teams for the upcoming season. We are well respected across the country in the Western Girls Hockey League, National Girls Hockey League as well as within USA Hockey. We have become the premier girls' organization in Utah by providing a safe and inclusive environment with long-term athlete development at the forefront. It is a place for coaches and athletes to thrive, from the rec and developmental level through Travel/Tier II and ultimately Tier I. The addition of the Tier I division this season is groundbreaking for Utah, and ULG will continue moving the needle. Thank you for everything, and let's go ULG!”

As Shannon transitions out of her role, we’re excited to announce that our Tier 1 Director, Rob Johnson, will step up as Acting Director of Hockey. Since joining us in April, Rob has made a tremendous impact on ULG, not only by establishing Utah’s first-ever Tier 1 team but also by significantly raising performance standards across the entire organization. Moving forward, Rob will oversee all ULG hockey operations while continuing to directly coach our 19U Tier 1 and 16U Tier 2 teams. To support Rob in this expanded role, ULG will soon appoint an Assistant Director who will oversee Travel/Development programs and assist with all aspects of hockey operations. We are confident that under Rob’s leadership, ULG will continue to thrive and reach new heights, building on the strong foundation that Shannon has laid.

Thoughts from Rob:

" I'm honored to step in as Acting Director of Hockey at such an exciting time for the Utah Lady Grizzlies. We've built something truly special here, thanks to Shannon's leadership and the dedication of our entire community. I'm committed to continuing this momentum and ensuring that every athlete in our program can reach their full potential. Together, we'll keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible for girls' hockey in Utah. Let’s make this season one to remember!"

Additionally, the Board has established a 3-person Operating Committee—Marc Couturier, Pete Mossberg, and Greg Swenson—to work closely with Rob in supporting hockey operations and ensuring smooth execution throughout the season. We’ve also formed a Fundraising Committee, led by Brooke Morley and Dave Monson, to help secure resources for our continued growth.

Please mark your calendars for our Utah Lady Grizzlies kickoff weekend on September 14-15 in Provo. The full itinerary will be published soon, and you can look forward to a weekend packed with on-ice practices, skills sessions, off-ice physical training, and some inspiring guest speakers.

We’re incredibly excited about the season ahead and are confident that these changes will strengthen our program, setting the stage for continued success. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to the Utah Lady Grizzlies. Let’s make this season our best yet!

Let’s go ULG!

Frank Monestere

President

Utah Lady Grizzlies