SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — If rumors of an NHL team coming to the state are true, interest in Utah's youth hockey program could increase.
The West Valley is already home to many ice programs in the Salt Lake area, and hockey enthusiasts in the area are looking forward to growing interest in the sport.
“There's a lot going on here at the Ice Center,” said Chris Billetter, program coordinator and acting manager for the Accord Ice Center.
Billetter said he has played hockey in Utah all his life. He said it would be great if Salt Lake City got an NHL team.
“It's a dream come true,” he said. “We didn't know if an NHL team would ever come to Salt Lake.”
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Billetter said the national team could change things for the Accords.
“We expect to see a lot more interest,” Billetter said. “It's going to be exciting. These are exciting times.”
Billetter said the interest is manageable, especially when there are 17 ice rinks across Utah.
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Ogden is already seeing a growing number of fans of a potential NHL team.
“When you think of Utah, hockey isn't the first thing that comes to mind,” said Sean Wilmert, owner of the Ogden Mustangs, a local hockey club.
Wilmert played hockey professionally in various professional hockey leagues and has seen first-hand the impact the sport has on the community.
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“About the team coming here and all the impact it's going to have on youth hockey. “We're going to grow all the way from two or three years old to 21-year-old juniors. That's the driving force,” Wilmert said. Told.
Ryan Bonham, president of the Utah Amateur Hockey Association, said acquiring an NHL team will increase the program's visibility. League officials expect interest to increase dramatically and new facilities to be built.
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