SALT LAKE CITY – As the NHL officially announced a new franchise in Utah for the upcoming season, fans were left with many questions regarding the team.
There are still many things to be resolved, but we also have answers to many questions.
The stage is set for #NHLinUtah! pic.twitter.com/bPBdSyW7q9
— NHL (@NHL) April 18, 2024
What will Utah’s NHL franchise be called?
Although there is a lot of reliable information on this question, no one really knows the answer. Not even the new owner.
There has been much speculation about what Utah’s NHL team would be called, and franchise owner Ryan Smith has been involved in those discussions on several occasions.
Utah Yetis was filed for trademark a day after Snowstorm in Utah, Utah Venom, Utah Fury, Utah HCAnd Utah Hockey Club.
It is important to note that these trademarks were filed anonymously and are not finalized. The team name cannot match any of these six options.
They want to get the name right the first time, even if it means going the first year without a name. That’s in line with the trademark applications of the Utah Hockey Club and Utah HC.
Where will Utah’s NHL team play?
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 seat 12,000 people for NHL games and more than 17,000 for NBA games.
Although there has been no official announcement on the matter, it is believed that the Delta Center will undergo renovations over the next two years to increase that 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 that the Delta Center will be a dual-use arena.
NEW DETAILS: @RyanQualtrics said the @NHL that the @deltacenter It will be a dual-sport arena. That’s a rumor that’s been circulating, but Smith hasn’t said it publicly until now.
His plans will require approval from the @SLCCouncil — and many stipulations of the #utleg — if he is…
— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) April 18, 2024
Who is the new NHL team owner Ryan Smith?
Smith is an American businessman. Born in Eugene, Oregon, Smith attended Brigham Young University and now lives in Provo, Utah.
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’s MLS team, Real Salt Lake. Last year, Smith and Blitzer brought the team back to the NWSL with Utah Royals FC.
Smith is a very hands-on owner and clearly intends to compete for a title in the NBA, MLS, NWSL and now the NHL. Smith has demonstrated those intentions on multiple 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 has been adamant that Utah is ready for an NHL franchise and there is confidence he will do what is necessary to lead the team in the right direction.
THE @NHL It’s here! Utah here we go! https://t.co/VwfWS2mkS9
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) April 18, 2024
When will the first NHL game be played 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 in Utah on NHL’s version of 2024-25 schedule
There will be no grace period, so when the 2024-25 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 announced that fans interested in season tickets could place an order immediately. $100 deposit (per seat) for tickets.
Be there for the @NHLThe first season of in Utah 🏒#NHLinUtah
Make a ticket deposit now: https://t.co/nYSW8tqAvZ pic.twitter.com/rZuUquOtkw
— Delta Center (@deltacenter) April 18, 2024
Ticket office is the official ticket marketplace of the NHL. Fans looking to attend games when the season begins can check it out or visit the Delta Center website.
For fans looking to follow the action from home, there are a handful of options.
Nationally broadcast games are usually broadcast on ESPN, ESPN+, TNTAnd ABCRegional matches are broadcast on RSN, NHL Ice CenterAnd NHL Network.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Scripps (a television company) would still provide local coverage at a news conference in Arizona.
Smith pitched Jazz+ as a way for Jazz fans to watch all games that aren’t televised nationally. A similar platform could be introduced for Utah’s NHL games.
RELATED: Utah Jazz+ streaming service launches at $125.50 per year
How will the new NHL team be supported in Utah?
Since 1979, the Jazz have been the only four-sport major league team from the state of Utah.
Football, baseball and hockey fans across the state have supported Utah sports since day one.
Utah fans have rallied. Despite a rebuild over the past two seasons, Jazz fans have sold out tickets to nearly 300 consecutive home games.
Less than 24 hours after the NHL’s announcement, more than 20,000 people had deposited money to purchase tickets.
Asked yesterday about the 11,000 season ticket deposits made in Utah, Bettman said the number now stands at 20,000. “I think we made a good decision,” Bettman said.
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) April 19, 2024
It’s safe 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 long history of hockey.
They are the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the WHL.
Salt Lake City 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.
At the time, they were also Utah’s only professional sports team. In 1972, the team became the farm club of the NHL’s California Golden Seals.
The Golden Eagles’ impact on people’s lives extended far beyond the Salt Palace. Fandom became a family tradition, leading to career choices and hobbies.
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. They sold out the Delta Center in their final game.
An official statement from the Utah Grizzlies pic.twitter.com/SdHtQXctBB
— Utah Grizzlies (@UtahGrizzlies) April 18, 2024
Utah Grizzlies
The Utah Grizzlies would play their first season in Utah, in the same building where the Salt Lake Golden Eagles played their final season, the Delta Center.
After the Denver Grizzlies won the championship and the Turner Cup in 1995, Colorado was granted an NHL team. This decision led to the Denver Grizzlies moving to Utah.
The new Utah Grizzlies won their second consecutive championship in 1996 by defeating 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 awarded franchises in the AHL.
The Grizzlies were the farm team of the Dallas Stars from 2001 to 2004 and the Phoenix Coyotes for their final AHL season. In 2005, the Elmore Group announced that it had purchased a then-dormant ECHL franchise, formerly the Lexington Men O’ War, and that the Grizzlies would join the ECHL.
Since entering the East Coast league, the Utah Grizzlies have consistently been an entertaining, competitive team that produces fan favorites and the occasional standout player.
The Utah Grizzlies remain an affordable option for hockey fans looking to catch a high-quality professional hockey game at the Maverik Center.
Are you already on Threads? Let’s connect, follow us @kslsports.
Chandler Holt is co-host of the show The Jazz Notes Podcast and a digital sports producer for KSLSports.comspecializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on the wires @chandlerho1t.
