The Utah Hockey Club’s opening game against the Chicago Blackhawks is causing a stir in the NHL

It took hours for the puck to drop, but there was already excitement in the arena Tuesday morning as members of the Utah Hockey Club prepared for something new.

A new team.

A new city.

A new season.

A new era.

“This is probably the most exciting hockey game I’ve ever played. When you come to the rink today, you still feel like you’re getting chills, even if it’s skating in the morning,” said forward Logan Cooley. “There’s excitement in the city and it’s just so exciting. It feels like you’re having the best moment of your life with these people.”

Opening game towels and t-shirts adorned every seat in the Delta Center, awaiting the sellout crowd to witness the first regular season game in Utah Hockey Club history.

“It’s very special,” said defenseman Sean Durzi.

Outside the arena, fans showed up early to celebrate all day before the evening’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Whether you win or lose, the mood shouldn’t be dampened on Tuesday evening.

Ryan Lorensen had been waiting for this moment for years. The Salt Lake City man first got into hockey after watching the 2017 Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, but never thought he would have a home team to root for .

“Seeing this in Utah is really special,” Lorensen said. “Even if (Utahns) aren’t ready now, they will be ready. They will see what this team has to offer and what they can bring to the table and they will all be on board. I promise you that.”

For Duane Dixon, a native of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, this club marks the third edition of the team he grew up with. The Winnipeg Jets were moved to Phoenix in 1996, where they became the Coyotes. Due to ownership and stadium issues, the Coyotes were disbanded and the players moved to Utah in April. Meanwhile, Dixon made sure he was there for Tuesday’s opening game to witness the dawn of a new era.

“When they brought the team here, I was excited to see Utah and finally enjoy and cheer for the team in the right hands,” Dixon said. “It was crazy, it was crazy, it was a rollercoaster. Finally excitement.”

The team’s new owners, Ryan and Ashley Smith, have said they are committed to making Salt Lake a premier NHL city for fans and athletes alike. After years of uncertainty in Phoenix, the Utah Hockey Club was able to focus on one area of ​​focus this season.

“No distractions,” said captain and forward Clayton Keller. “You can say whatever you want, but sometimes (in Arizona) friends, family and other people are always asking you what’s going on and you don’t know. It’s nice to be free and focus on our job and what we’re here to do, which is win.”