The NHL is set to make its debut in Utah with the introduction of the Utah Hockey Club for the 2024-25 season. This marks a significant moment as it is the first NHL team in the state, transitioning from a longstanding franchise in the desert to the mountain region.
The Utah Hockey Club is based in Salt Lake City and was formed following the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes after the 2023-24 season. The Coyotes, who moved from Winnipeg to Phoenix in 1996, experienced a challenging history in Arizona, reaching the conference finals only once and remaining without a Stanley Cup in their 27 seasons there.
The creation of the Utah Hockey Club was finalized in April 2024 when the NHL’s board of governors approved a $1.2 billion sale.
The club is owned by Ryan and Ashley Smith, who also own the NBA’s Utah Jazz and Major League Soccer team Real Salt Lake. The team will play its home games at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, the same arena that hosts the Jazz.
For the initial season, the team will retain the name “Utah Hockey Club.” The franchise gathered fan input for the naming process, starting with 20 potential names before narrowing it down to six finalists, including names like Blizzard and Yeti, but ultimately chose to keep the current name as a placeholder. A permanent name and logo are expected to be unveiled next offseason.
The inaugural head coach of the Utah Hockey Club is Andre Tourigny, known as “The Bear.” He has been with the franchise since 2021 and previously led the Coyotes with a record of 89-131-26.
Clayton Keller has been chosen as the first captain of the Utah Hockey Club, taking on the role just before the team’s first game. Keller, who has played his entire career with the franchise, will don the “C” as the team embarks on this new journey.
The Utah Hockey Club’s first game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, where they will host the Chicago Blackhawks, with the puck drop set for 10 p.m. ET.