5 players to join Grizzlies in camp

The Utah Grizzlies were assigned five players from NHL clubs Sunday in preparation for training camp this week.

The Dallas Stars, Utah's top affiliate, assigned defenseman Mark Wotton, center Jeff Bateman, right wing Justin Cox and left wing Brett Draney to the Grizz training camp, which runs from Tuesday through Sunday. The Montreal Canadiens sent defenseman Matthieu Descoteaux to Utah as well.

Wotton was the Grizzlies' captain most of last season, having played 57 games in Utah. He tallied 27 points while adding 68 penalty minutes.

Bateman, Cox and Draney are all 21-year-olds with bright futures in the NHL who spent some time in Utah last year. Cox suited up for the Grizzlies 74 times last season and recorded 17 points. Bateman played 35 games.

Draney saw action for the Grizzlies just six times last year, and that wasn't until the final weeks. He was busy completing his final junior season with Medicine Hat in the Western Hockey League.

Descoteaux, meanwhile, will be making his first appearance as a Grizzly.

Fans can get their first glimpse at this year's Grizzlies squad at team scrimmages on Friday and Saturday night at the Acord Ice Arena. Both games begin at 7 p.m.