Ryan Smith, owner of the NHL team now coming to Salt Lake City, recently appeared on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. With stunning Mount Timpanogos as his backdrop, Smith described the whirlwind preparation for the NHL’s arrival in Utah as “daunting.”
Despite the challenges, Smith remains optimistic, emphasizing the need for community involvement. “We’re not going to be perfect,” he said, “but we’re ready to go and we’re going to need everyone in the community’s help.”
One of Smith’s top priorities is engaging fans in the selection of a name, logo, and color scheme for the team through a fan-voted bracket. “We’re doing a bracket,” Smith confirmed. “Fans will be able to vote on their favorite names, and the winner will become the final name for the team.”
Smith also highlighted the entertainment aspect of the new team. “We are an entertainment company,” he said. “We’re putting on a show every night. We are literally trying to entertain and bring groups of people to rally around a common cause in the community.”
With plans to renovate the Delta Center to accommodate more fans, the excitement for Utah’s NHL team continues to build. Ticket deposits have reached 27,000, demonstrating the strong support within the community. As the team prepares for its inaugural season, Smith and his team are confident that they will provide an unforgettable experience for Utah fans.
