A look at the first Utah Hockey Club merchandise at the Delta Center

SALT LAKE CITY – As the Utah Hockey Club enters its inaugural season, fans are eager to get their hands on team merchandise.

The Delta Center is preparing to meet this demand and fans will have plenty of options to choose from.

Preparations are in full swing at the Delta Center as the Utah Jazz Team Store undergoes a significant expansion.

“Our main location will be expanded by over 2,000 square meters for the season. They are currently in the middle of construction,” said Parker Bushnell, purchasing and analytics manager for the team store.

In addition to the expanded jazz store, a hockey-exclusive shop was set up on the fifth floor.

“It’s going to be a hockey deal all season long,” Bushnell said.

Bushnell and his team are excited about the start.

“It’s a unique experience for us to be in a situation like this,” he said.

The store is stocked with a variety of items, from hats and shirts to lanyards and stuffed animals.

“We're going to learn a lot at the beginning of the year,” Bushnell said. “We have to make sure we hear our fans.”

Fans, especially those who wanted to show their support from the beginning, want to commemorate this historic first season.

Bushnell understands the importance of these keepsakes.

“You can’t take tickets home – they’re all digital,” he said. “You put the food straight into your stomach. So the merchandise is a huge part of the memories, the moments that we will all share together.”

One key piece of merchandise that is already receiving rave reviews is the Utah Hockey Club's signature blue color.

“The color reaction has already been extremely positive,” Bushnell said. “The draft party was the first time we had the Blues and it was a success.”

However, one item that fans may be eagerly awaiting – the team jersey – is not immediately available.

“The jersey situation is a bit of a challenge because we are a team that was founded much later than everyone else,” Bushnell noted.

But don't worry, the store offers alternative clothing, including player t-shirts.

“We have a whole range of different players to choose from. Over the course of the season we should get to six to seven total,” Bushnell said, noting that player popularity will influence selection.

If the t-shirts don't suit your style and you still want a jersey-like appearance, the team has a solution.

“We have what we call a skate lace hoodie…it has the jersey markings and more of a traditional hockey look with the skate lace,” Bushnell said. “It will satisfy that need just enough until the jerseys arrive.”

Bushnell and his team are committed to ensuring fans have a wide selection of unique merchandise throughout the season.

“It's a great opportunity for people to buy things that are unique to a year and give the impression that I was there,” he said.

New merchandise will continue to be released throughout the season.

“Our range will continue to improve,” promised Bushnell. “We can say that for most of the season we will receive new products weekly, perhaps even daily.”

For those wondering when they'll finally be able to get their hands on a jersey – known as a “sweater” in hockey – the wait will soon be over.

The schedule has been moved up and the jerseys are expected to be available in November. So who will you be representing this season?

Catch almost every Utah Hockey Club game this fall on Utah 16!