The NHL is getting ready to break the ice in Utah.

The league will have a new team in 2024-2025, with the Utah Hockey Club entering its inaugural season. It marks the NHL’s first team in the Beehive State and a move from the desert to the mountains for a longtime franchise.

How did the Utah Hockey Club come about? And what can hockey fans expect from the club in 2024-2025?

Here’s everything you need to know about the NHL’s newest franchise:

What is the Utah Hockey Club?

The Utah Hockey Club is an NHL franchise based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Which team became the Utah Hockey Club?

The Arizona Coyotes moved to Salt Lake City after the 2023-2024 season.

The Coyotes had been in Arizona since moving from Winnipeg to Phoenix in 1996. The team reached one conference final in 27 seasons in Phoenix/Arizona and is one of 10 NHL franchises without a Stanley Cup.

When was the Utah Hockey Club founded?

The NHL officially arrived in Utah in April 2024 after the league’s board of directors unanimously approved a $1.2 billion sale.

Who owns the Utah Hockey Club?

Ryan and Ashley Smith, who also own Real Salt Lake, the Utah Jazz and Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake, are the new owners of the Utah Hockey Club.

Where does the Utah Hockey Club play?

The Utah Hockey Club plays at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The arena is also home to Jazz.

Will the Utah Hockey Club change the team name?

The Utah Hockey Club will play under its current brand for the 2024-2025 season.

The franchise turned to fans for the team name, starting with twenty candidates before narrowing it down to six finalists. While there were actual mascot names among the finalists – including the Blizzard, Mammoth, Outlaws, Venom and Yeti – Utah Hockey Club emerged as the temporary team name.

The team will likely roll out a long-term team name and logo sometime next offseason, but that hasn’t been officially confirmed yet.

Who is the head coach of the Utah Hockey Club?

Andre Tourigny is the first head coach in the history of the Utah Hockey Club.

Nicknamed “The Bear”, Tourigny joined the franchise as head coach in 2021. He had a record of 89-131-26 in his three seasons with the Coyotes and retained his position when the team moved to Utah.

Who is the captain of the Utah Hockey Club?

Clayton Keller became the Utah Hockey Club’s first-ever captain just days before the team’s first-ever game.

The Coyotes were without a captain for more than two seasons after Oliver Ekman-Larsson was traded during the 2020-21 season. Now the 26-year-old Keller, who has spent his entire career with the franchise, will wear the “C” on his jersey as the organization enters a new chapter.

When is the Utah Hockey Club’s first game?

The Utah Hockey Club will play its first game on Tuesday, October 8, when the team hosts the Chicago Blackhawks. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET.