Wednesday, April 24, 2024, will go down as a historic day in Utah sports history, Gov. Spencer Cox said, and fans agreed.
Thousands of people gathered at the Delta Center on Wednesday to welcome Utah's new NHL team to its new home. An hour before the doors opened, a line of fans surrounded the outside of the arena vying for the chance to get inside with their team.
“We've been waiting for this day for a long time,” Cox said on the show. “This is a historic day for the state of Utah.”
For Ogden resident and lifelong hockey fan Victoria Brammer, attending Wednesday's event was a no-brainer.
“It's history,” she said.
At the Delta Center, fans enjoyed hockey-themed games, face painting, live music, free food and even 4-on-4 roller hockey. They were then invited indoors and introduced to the team's players, head coach Andre Tourigny and general manager Bill Armstrong in a special program.
Utah is a hockey state
A full house was in attendance, and several people later gathered for the event.
The Delta Center was packed, and fans sat with bleeding noses the entire time, trying to catch a glimpse of their new hockey team. A large crowd of fans hung out outside to watch the team introduction broadcast.
“This shows we really are a hockey town. Look at how many people are here now. Look at how many people have signed up for season tickets with a deposit,” Midvale said. said Tyler Gulbransen. “It's unbelievable.
“We were told hockey doesn't work here, but it works 100% here. We wanted to see what the turnout would be. Like all hockey fans, we love hockey here. We will continue to support this team.”
Cox expressed similar thoughts.
“They told us Utah was too small for an NHL team. They told us we didn't know anything about hockey in Utah, but today we proved them all wrong.” I will prove that,” the governor said.
Cheers of “Let's go Utah” roused the crowd before the teams took to the ice, but the cheers grew louder throughout the program, often drowning out what the players were saying into the microphones. .
Some fans wore sweaters from their favorite NHL teams, but Gulbransen's current loyalty to the Colorado Avalanche hasn't dampened his excitement for Utah's NHL team in the slightest.
“It was great to know that so much NHL talent was coming to Salt Lake,” he said. “It's unbelievable. I'm going to remain loyal to the Avalanche. I'm going to get season tickets for the NHL team here and I'm going to support the team – of course if they play for the Avalanche That's a big thing for the community.”
In Utah, the NHL is a family affair.
If Wednesday is any indication, the NHL will definitely be a family affair in Utah. That's already happening months before the team's first year begins.
edward anderson The Bountiful native came to the fan event to spark his 13-year-old son's interest in hockey. He can now share the sport he loves with his son while rooting for a new team to support together.
They were the last ones allowed inside the arena.
“This is the right time,” he said of Utah getting an NHL team. “I agree with (team owner) Ryan Smith. It's the perfect time to bring them in. We're ready for it. The fans are ready for it. Obviously. is.”
Brammer brought his 9-year-old son, Troy, to watch the players and is looking forward to supporting the new team with his family.
“I've been a hockey fan all my life, so it makes sense to have a hockey team here, the fan base and everything else,” she said. “We've always been to Grizzlies games, we've always been to Ogden Mustangs games. We watch the Boston Bruins avidly, but this time we got the home team. That’s even better.”
Utah's new role model
Armstrong and several players said how touched they were by the many young fans who showed up at the airport to welcome the team earlier in the day. Afterwards, several young fans continued to visit Delta's center and share that love.
Youth hockey players, including Carse Powell, Teagan McGuire and Burke Turves, were encouraged to wear hockey sweaters to the event. The three friends are excited to have his 19 new hockey role models in Utah.
“It's only my first year (of hockey), but I already love it,” said 12-year-old Powell. “I definitely feel like this is my sport. I'm really happy to have people to look up to and to have a team that actually represents the state.”
