Utah fans rally around the new NHL team, but questions remain about the long-term sustainability of the hockey frenzy.
Larry H. Miller stated during a press conference in March 1994 that it had become evident to them this year that hockey was not financially viable in this market. As a result, he announced the sale of the minor league Salt Lake Golden Eagles to a Detroit-based group led by the owner of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons at the time.
The Golden Eagles required 7,000 spectators per game at the Delta Center, as stated by Miller to journalists, and noted that they were not yet halfway to that goal based on paid attendance. Miller stated that the local fanbase, which is organic and native to the area, is simply not present.
A few days later, a few followers from that limited fan base complained to the Salt Lake Tribune about how things could have improved, despite the financial situation. Pat Kremers, president of the Screamin’ Eagles Booster Club, stated to the newspaper that it is currently the perfect moment for hockey, pointing out that the rise in roller hockey and street hockey is just getting started.
Some were more worried about what would happen – or rather, not happen – “Now that there isn’t any hockey in Salt Lake, how will there be any interest generated?” The paper’s reporter was asked by Darren Wack, the owner of Hockey Haven, a sports store.
There has been hockey to watch in Salt Lake City since then. The Utah Grizzlies of the IHL relocated to the Delta Center a year after the Golden Eagles departed and secured the league’s championship in the next season. However, that victory still stands out as a peak moment for the team.
The Grizzlies, who joined the American Hockey League in 2005, have never secured another championship. Regarding hockey enthusiasm, attendance numbers for the Grizzlies have supported Miller’s statements from 1994, with an average of approximately 4,500 fans per game since 2005-06. Cole Bagley, who grew up in Utah playing hockey, told the Guardian that hockey ranked very low in the sports hierarchy in Utah.
Bagley, currently covering the Utah Hockey Club for KSL Sports, admitted that Utah is primarily focused on college football or basketball, with teams like BYU and the NBA’s Utah Jazz receiving the most attention as the occupants of the Delta Center. Before this recent spring, Bagley mentioned that the Vegas Golden Knights were likely the most favored NHL team in the region.
Just like Las Vegas welcomed the Golden Knights with open arms upon their arrival, Salt Lake City quickly embraced its hockey team, which was moved from Arizona in April due to difficulties in finding a new arena. The large crowd at the Delta Center gathered to greet the former Coyote players a few days later, appears likely to remain.
The Delta Center usually holds around 11,000 hockey fans, but it has been expanded to accommodate over 16,000, with some seats only offering a view of one goal and others, due to the unique layout, potentially providing the best perspective in the league.
During the home opener, Utah fans at the Delta Center set a new beer sales record of $120,000 by consuming it during the game in which Utah won 5-2 against the Chicago Black Hawks.
The Utah HC’s debut month on the ice was less successful than the beer sales. Following three consecutive wins at the beginning of the first season, Utah lost six out of their next eight games, ending the month with a 5-4-2 record, which was still sufficient for a mid-level standing in the Central Division.
Top defenseman Sean Durzi suffered an injury, adding to the problems of a defensive line that was already without John Marino for an unspecified period of time. Only one month since its inception, Utah HC might already be exploring trades and adopting a must-win mentality reminiscent of the Vegas Golden Knights.
However, during the initial weeks, support has remained strong, despite fans adjusting to the new dynamics and still struggling to incorporate “Utah” into their chants. Utah HC retail jerseys are still unavailable, and they won’t be available for purchase until 2025. Towards the conclusion of October, the Utah Hockey Commission disclosed plans to offer assistance to youth hockey programs within the state.
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