Winter sports briefs

Hockey

GRIZZLY WINS AWARD: The American Hockey League has named Utah Grizzlies defenseman Terry Virtue the recipient of the CCM AHL Milestone of the Month award for December.

On Dec. 18, Virtue became just the 26th player in American Hockey League history to skate in 800 regular-season games when he hit the ice for the Grizzlies' contest against the Milwaukee Admirals at the E Center. Virtue recorded an assist in the 5-4 Grizzlies win.

Acquired from Springfield on Nov. 22, the 34-year-old Virtue has 83 goals and 283 assists for 366 points in 804 career AHL games.

In recognition of the CCM AHL Milestone of the Month, Virtue will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to a Grizzly home game.

Skiing

LOCALS QUALIFY: Five Utahns are among U.S. skiers who have earned berths on the U.S. Ski Team or U.S. World Cup events this month.

Landon Gardner, Park City, won a moguls events and the duals and finished third in the opening moguls contest at the U.S. Freestyle Selection at Park City Mountain Resort last month.

Aerials starts were earned by Tim Massucco, Park City; Sharlee Strebel, Layton; and Jill Priest, Park City; for U.S. World Cup moguls contests, during the Nature Valley Freestyle Classic, Jan. 14-16, in Lake Placid, N.Y., and the Chevrolet Freestyle International, Jan. 28-29 at Deer Valley.

Lacy Schnoor, Draper, will jump in all North American aerials World Cups this month in Quebec and British Columbia.

CROSS COUNTRY: The U.S. Cross Country Championships return to the Olympic trails this week, where more than 400 skiers have registered for the five days of racing. Final selections will be made for the World Championships, Junior World Championships and a juniors trip to Scandinavia.

Wednesday: men's 10K and women's 5K classic

Thursday: men's 10K and women's 5K freestyle

Saturday: sprints classic

Monday: pursuits, men's 30K (15K classic plus 15K freestyle) and women's 15K (7.5K+7.5K)