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Utah Hockey Club Makes NHL Debut vs. Blackhawks: Highlights and Fan Reactions | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors
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Utah Hockey Club Makes NHL Debut vs. Blackhawks: Highlights and Fan Reactions | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – OCTOBER 08: Dylan Guenther #11 of Utah Hockey Club celebrates his first period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at Delta Center on October 8, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This game is the first for the franchise in Utah following their move from Arizona. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Tuesday marked the start of a new era in the NHL.

The Utah Hockey Club made its debut against the Chicago Blackhawks at Delta Center, marking the start of the team’s highly anticipated inaugural season.

The team, composed primarily of players from the now defunct Arizona Coyotes, is looking to make an impact in its first year as a franchise. To help them do that, Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen took part in the inaugural puck drop.

Here are some more highlights from Tuesday’s action:

Sportsnet @Sportsnet

The Utah Hockey Club has officially arrived. 🏔️
Watch their opening match LIVE on Sportsnet. 📺 pic.twitter.com/J5yC7MqDDl

The season started strong with Dylan Guenther scoring in the first period. The Utah Hockey Club added another in Clayton Keller’s first.

Barrett Hayton scored on a deflected shot by Mikhail Sergachev in the second period to make it 3-0.

Although the Utah Hockey Club will likely have a new name, jerseys and team colors in the near future, Salt Lake City residents were nevertheless excited to bring a team to their city.

For years, Utah has had only one professional sports team in the Utah Jazz. Now the residents of the largely empty market have another team to cheer on, so they’ll likely bring the energy this year.

The odds are somewhat stacked against Utah as an expansion team, but the NHL’s recent expansion teams have proven successful after just a few seasons.

The Vegas Golden Knights, founded in 2017, reached the Stanley Cup Final in their first season and won it in 2023. The Seattle Kraken, founded in 2021, reached the second round in their second season as a team.

Now, the Utah Hockey Club is looking to be the latest expansion team to find early success.