Utah welcomes new hockey franchise with first preseason game at Delta Center

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Utah's new hockey franchise debuted its first preseason game Monday night at the Delta Center, marking a major milestone for a team that didn't exist just six months ago.

As fans watched the historic first game, they were filled with excitement.

Regular season games begin in about two weeks, and not long after that, the plan to redevelop downtown around the Delta Center could be completed if the Salt Lake City Council approves the equity agreement with Smith Entertainment Group.

“Honestly, I was the last person to think it was going to happen. I told everyone at work, 'No, we'll never get a team, we'll never get a team,' and then about two weeks later, we've got a team!” Richard Coulson laughed as he was one of the first fans through the door on Monday night.

More about the Utah Hockey Club:

Even fans of Monday's opponent, the Los Angeles Kings, said they were impressed with Utah's hockey development.

“When the hockey season starts, that's the year for me. I'm the happiest person on earth,” said Diane Lay. Chris Armstrong, President of Hockey Operations, emphasized the importance of this first-ever NHL preseason game for the franchise.

“It's a new beginning, it's a new franchise. All of our players are excited to build from the ground up what NHL hockey means in Utah,” Armstrong said.

With hockey now officially a part of Utah's sports scene, the Salt Lake City Council announced the next step in developing the planned downtown sports district and scheduled a public hearing for October 1.

“We want to do everything we can to contribute to a vibrant economy, build businesses here and create something that all people here in Utah can be proud of,” Armstrong said.

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