NHL Expansion: Hockey in Utah?
SALT LAKE CITY- Hockey fans in Utah were given hope today when news broke that the Smith Entertainment Group, owner of the Utah Jazz, has formally requested to join the NHL through an expansion franchise in Utah.
The NHL has seen more expansion franchises in the recent past than any of the other major sports in America. The Seattle Kraken and Las Vegas Golden Knights are the most recent teams to be integrated into the NHL, and these teams have generated considerable buzz and excitement. Specifically the Las Vegas Golden Knights, who made the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season and won the cup in the 2022-2023 season. Utah hockey fans are obviously hoping for this same type of success if the plans of an expansion franchise ever come to fruition.
Image Credits: AP News
The plan laid out by the Smith Entertainment Group allows for the team to begin operations almost immediately using the Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz, as an interim home arena. Many have high hopes for this plan seeing as the Delta Center has already hosted five NHL Preseason games in the past.
Image Credits: Delta News Hub
Utah’s state government seems to be in full support of this plan. Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox supported the plan by saying, “Utah has a long history with hockey, the strongest economy in the nation, a passionate sports fanbase, and the youngest and most active population. These factors make Utah ripe for the expansion of our sports and entertainment community. We couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to welcome the NHL”.
The last professional hockey team to call Utah home was The Utah Grizzlies, ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. Salt Lake City’s current bid for the 2034 Winter Olympics gives the state further incentive to invest in winter sports infrastructure, specifically hockey.
Image Credits: UtahGrizzlies.com
While expanding a league too fast can have drawbacks, this addition seems like a no brainer. Utah has, not only a strong relationship with the hockey community, but also a strong relationship with the winter sports community as a whole. The NHL has obviously had an interest in expanding into the western part of the country, seeing as the two most recent expansion teams are in Seattle and Las Vegas. This partnership between the Smith Entertainment Company, the State of Utah, and the NHL seems like a perfect fit.
