Utah Hockey Club Owner

The Utah Hockey Club are a professional ice hockey team. The team was formed after the NHL approved a deal involving the Arizona Coyotes' hockey assets. The Utah team were officially introduced on April 26, 2024, and began their inaugural season in 2024-25. They played their first preseason games in September and opened their regular season with a win on October 8, 2024, with Clayton Keller named the first team captain.

Before the NHL team, the city had a history of minor league teams, including the Salt Lake Golden Eagles and the Utah Grizzlies. The Golden Eagles played for 25 seasons, winning multiple championships before relocating in 1994. The Utah Grizzlies, after a brief break, returned in 1995 as an IHL team, later transitioning to the AHL and ECHL. The Delta Center hosted various NHL events, but Salt Lake had limited success in securing a permanent NHL franchise until 2024.

Who is the Utah Hockey Club owned by

According to ksltv, Ryan and Ashley Smith are the owners of the Utah Hockey Club. They are a power couple who aim to reshape Salt Lake City's downtown and expand Utah's sports legacy. Ryan is the chairman of Smith Entertainment Group, which also owns the Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake. Ashley is a creative leader and the owner of Smash Dance Academy.

They purchased the Arizona Coyotes assets (personnel, draft picks, roster) from Alex Meruelo for $1.2 billion to bring NHL hockey to Utah. Both overcame challenging childhoods and built successful careers. Ryan co-founded Qualtrics and later sold it for $8 billion, while Ashley pursued her passion for dance. They balance sports ownership and family life with their five children..

What conference are the Utah Hockey Club in?

According to NBC Chicago, the Utah Hockey Club competes in the Western Conference of the NHL. They are the NHL's newest team, joining the league in the 2024-25 season after the Arizona Coyotes relocated to Salt Lake City. The team plays at the Delta Center and competes in the Western Conference. André Tourigny is the head coach, and Clayton Keller is the first captain. The team is using the temporary name "Utah Hockey Club" for now, with plans to rebrand next offseason. Their first game was on October 8, 2024, against the Chicago Blackhawks.