The Utah NHL team touched down at Salt Lake City Airport around 10:30 a.m., greeted by a boisterous reception from a throng of young hockey enthusiasts lining their path. The team, accompanied by their families, coaches, and staff, disembarked the aircraft and proceeded to their hotel.
Their itinerary included a tour of the impressive Zions Bank Basketball Campus and the Delta Center, the future home arena for their inaugural season. Upon stepping onto the ice, taking in the intimate seating design, and experiencing the overall ambiance, the players couldn’t help but envision the excitement of game nights.
“It looks incredible,” remarked right wing Clayton Keller. “The seats are uniquely positioned, creating an almost immersive experience. We’ve heard that the building is renowned for its electrifying atmosphere, with 250 consecutive sellouts for the Jazz. That’s incredibly exciting.”
General manager Bill Armstrong believes that Wednesday’s visit to the Delta Center, showcasing the facilities available to the Utah Jazz, may have ignited a spark within the players. “They’re genuinely enthused,” Armstrong stated. “They’re energized by the fans’ enthusiasm and the overall atmosphere. The rink today has certainly sparked their excitement.”
Armstrong’s aspirations for the team’s home arena are clear: “We aim to make this the loudest building in the NHL. The design, with its steep incline, provides an exceptional opportunity. You couldn’t ask for a better venue for our team.”
Later that evening, at a complimentary public event held at the Delta Center, the Utah NHL team made their official introduction to a crowd of approximately 12,400 enthusiastic supporters. As they stepped onto the ice, they did more than merely announce their names, positions, and hometowns. They expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support and energy, injecting a touch of humor into their introductions.
“What’s up, folks? Let’s do this!” exclaimed forward Liam O’Brien. “My name’s Liam O’Brien, but you can call me Spicy Tuna.”
His teammates erupted in laughter, while the crowd’s enthusiasm reached fever pitch. Moments later, center Jack McBain led the crowd in a resounding chant of “Spicy Tuna.”
Among the attendees at the event were Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy, Jordan Clarkson, and Lauri Markkanen. Earlier in the day, coach André Tourigny had requested one of the young fans at the airport to autograph his hoodie. The day’s emotions were palpable, leaving an indelible mark on Tourigny.
“This will be my seventh year in the NHL,” Tourigny reflected. “I told my wife, ‘I think this might be my best day in the NHL so far.'”
Tourigny’s initial impression of the arena was bittersweet: “I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment knowing I have to wait four or five months to return.”
The team is scheduled to reconvene in Salt Lake City on August 1st to commence preparations for their inaugural season. “It’s time for us to create our own legacy, a remarkable story right here in Utah,” Tourigny declared.
