Utah Grizzlies relocating to Trenton as ECHL hockey returns to CURE Insurance Arena
Trenton, NJ – Professional hockey is officially returning to New Jersey’s capital. After more than a decade without an ECHL team, the league has approved the relocation of the Utah Grizzlies to Trenton, where they will debut at CURE Insurance Arena for the 2026–27 season.
From 1999 until 2013, the Trenton Titans/Devils called the arena their home.
The move follows the sale of the Grizzlies franchise by Grizzlies Hockey Club, LLC to Pro Hockey Partners, LLC. The team, which will be renamed before the 2026 season, leaves Utah after 31 years and two Turner Cup championships, marking the end of an era for fans in West Valley City.
ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin called the decision bittersweet, praising the Elmore family, the late Kevin Bruder, and the Grizzlies’ staff for their decades of commitment while welcoming Trenton back to the league.
“The original ECHL team served as a catalyst to the opening of CURE Insurance Arena back in 1999 and growing the hockey community in New Jersey,” Crelin said. “We look forward to reinvigorating the live entertainment experience in the marketplace with an ownership and operating group experienced in developmental league sports.”
The 7,000-seat arena was home to the Trenton Titans and Trenton Devils from 1999 to 2013. The Titans reached the Kelly Cup Finals twice, winning the league championship in 2005, and the venue also hosted the 2002 ECHL All-Star Classic.
Pro Hockey Partners president Bob Ohrablo said the move represents a major opportunity for both the league and the city. “The ECHL/Trenton Hockey Club will attract hundreds of thousands of fans to the CURE Insurance Arena and Downtown Trenton each season. This presents an opportunity for families to enjoy exciting pro hockey nights at affordable prices, along with a variety of family-friendly promotions throughout the season.”
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said the announcement marks a milestone in efforts to make the county a regional sports and entertainment hub. “I can’t wait for our new hockey team to drop the puck for its first season,” Benson said.
CURE Insurance Arena officials said renovations are underway to prepare the venue for the team’s arrival, with upgrades aimed at improving the fan experience.
Key Points
- The Utah Grizzlies will relocate to Trenton after the 2025–26 season.
- The team will play at CURE Insurance Arena starting in 2026–27 under a new name.
- The arena last hosted pro hockey in 2013, when the Trenton Devils folded.
The return of hockey to Trenton brings a familiar roar back to CURE Insurance Arena.