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Team name? Where do they play?

JamesMcGheeBy No Comments8 Mins Read
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SALT LAKE CITY – As the NHL officially announced a new franchise in Utah for the upcoming season, fans were left with a lot of questions regarding the team.

There are still many things to sort out. But there are also many questions to which we have answers.

What will the Utah NHL franchise be called?

Although there is a lot of solid information on this question, no one really knows the answer. Not even the new owner.

There has been a lot of speculation about the name of Utah’s NHL team and Ryan Smith, owner of the franchise, has participated in these discussions on several occasions.

Six trademarks for Utah’s new NHL franchise were sent to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this week.

Utah Yetis filed for trademark a day later Utah Blizzard, Utah Venom, Utah Fury, Utah HCAnd Utah Hockey Club.

It is important to note that these trademarks were registered anonymously and are not finalized. The team name cannot be any of these six options.

They want to get the name right the first time, even if it means starting first grade without a name. This is true with the Utah Hockey Club and Utah HC trademark applications.

Where will Utah play in the NHL?

Utah’s new NHL team will share the Delta Center with the NBA’s Utah Jazz for at least the next two seasons.

The Delta Center can accommodate 12,000 people for NHL games and more than 17,000 for NBA games.

Although there is no official announcement on this matter, it is believed that the Delta Center will undergo renovations over the next two years in order to increase this number to 17,000 for NHL games .

Some have speculated that a new arena could be built in Utah for the NHL team. But Smith confirmed the Delta Center will be a dual-sport arena.

Who is the new NHL team owner, Ryan Smith?

Smith is an American businessman. Born in Eugene, Oregon, Smith attended Brigham Young University and still lives in Provo, Utah today.

While attending BYU’s School of Business, Smith founded Qualtrics with his father Scott and brother Jared. Qualtrics is an experience management company that offers a subscription-based software platform.

In 2020, Smith purchased a majority stake in the Utah Jazz from Gail Miller. Two years later, Smith and David Blitzer purchased Utah MLS team Real Salt Lake. Last year, Smith and Blitzer brought the team back to the NWSL with Utah Royals FC.

Smith is an active owner and clearly intends to compete for a title in the NBA, MLS, NWSL and now the NHL. Smith has shown these intentions on several occasions. First, with the trades of NBA stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in 2022. Then, with several high-profile MLS signings in 2023 like Chicho Arango.

Smith insisted Utah is ready to welcome an NHL franchise and he is confident he will do what is necessary to get the team in the right direction.

When will the first NHL game be in Utah?

The NHL is developing a schedule for the upcoming season (2024/25) in which the new franchise will play in Utah.

RELATED: Coyotes play Utah on version of 2024-25 NHL Draft

There will be no grace period so when the 2024-2025 season begins in October, NHL games will be played in Salt Lake City!

How to get tickets and watch Utah’s new NHL team?

Shortly after the official announcement Thursday, the Delta Center said fans interested in season tickets could immediately place a $100 deposit (per seat) for tickets.

Ticket Master is the official ticket marketplace of the NHL. Fans wishing to attend games during the season can go there or on the Delta Center website.

For fans who want to watch the action from home, there are several options.

Nationally broadcast games are usually found on ESPN, ESPN+, TNTAnd ABC. Regional matches are broadcast on RSN, NHL Center IceAnd NHL Network.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Scripps (a television company) would still carry the local broadcast during a press conference in Arizona.

Smith introduced Jazz+ as a method for Jazz fans to watch every game that isn’t nationally televised. A similar platform could be introduced for Utah’s NHL games.

RELATED: Utah Jazz+ Streaming Service Launches at $125.50 a Year

How will the new NHL team be supported in Utah?

Since 1979, the Jazz have been the only four-major sports league team in the state of Utah.

The state’s football, baseball and hockey fans have vouched for Utah sports since day one.

Utah sports fans are speaking out. Despite rebuilding over the past two seasons, Jazz fans have sold out nearly 300 consecutive home games.

Less than 24 hours after the NHL’s announcement, more than 20,000 people made deposits to purchase tickets.

It’s fair to say that Utah will be rooting for its new NHL team from the first puck drop.

What is the history of hockey in Utah?

Although Utah has never had an NHL team, the state has a fairly long hockey history.

Namely the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the WHL.

Salt Lake Golden Eagles

The Golden Eagles’ first season was played at the Salt Palace in 1969. At that time, they were part of the Western Hockey League and were the farm club for the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.

They were also the only professional sports team in Utah at the time. In 1972, the team became the farm club of the NHL’s California Golden Seals.

The Golden Eagles’ impact on people’s lives went far beyond the Salt Palace. Fandom became a family tradition, leading to career and hobby choices.

Several big names have emerged from the Golden Eagles franchise – Joey Mullen, Ziggy Palfy, Derek Armstrong, Kevin Cheveldayoff, Theo Fleury and Stu Grimson.

The Utah Jazz began playing in Utah in 1979, sharing the Salt Palace with the Golden Eagles.

The Eagles won back-to-back CHL championships (Adams Cup) in 1979 and 1980 and back-to-back IHL championships (Turner Cup) in 1987 and 1988.

Larry H. Miller sold the Golden Eagles franchise to Detroit in 1994. In their last game, they sold out the Delta Center.

Utah Grizzlies

The Utah Grizzlies would play their first season in Utah in the same building that the Salt Lake Golden Eagles played their last, the Delta Center.

After the Denver Grizzlies went all the way to the championship and won the Turner Cup in 1995, Colorado had an NHL team. This decision resulted in the Denver Grizzlies moving to Utah.

The new Utah Grizzlies won their second straight championship in 1996 by sweeping the Orlando Solar Bears in front of a sold-out Delta Center crowd of 17,381 fans.

The IHL folded in 2001 and several teams were granted franchises in the AHL.

The Grizzlies were the farm club of the Dallas Stars from 2001 to 2004 and of the Phoenix Coyotes for their final season in the AHL. In 2005, the Elmore Group announced that it had purchased a then-dormant ECHL franchise, formerly Lexington Men O’ War, and that the Grizzlies would join the ECHL.

Since entering the East Coast League, the Utah Grizzlies have consistently built a roster that is entertaining, competitive, and producing fan favorites and occasional stars.

The Utah Grizzlies remain an affordable option for hockey fans wanting to watch high-quality professional hockey at the Maverik Center.

Are you already on the discussions? Let’s connect, follow us @kslsports.

Chandler Holt is co-host of the show Jazz Notes Podcast and digital sports producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on discussions @chandlerho1t.

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