SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. (NCC News) — For the third time in eight seasons, the NHL will commence play in a new city and state as the Utah Hockey Club starts its season Tuesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Formely known as the Arizona Coyotes, the Utah Hockey Club will be considered a brand new franchise and will write its own history of records. The Coyotes franchise was declared inactive after the transition of their existing hockey assets was completed on June 13.
The NHL’s newest franchise named Clayton Keller its captain who leads all Utah players in goals, assists, and points. Keller is coming off back-to-back 30-goal seasons.
The Utah Hockey Club is a temporary name as they’re expected to have a new name for the 2025-26 season. A fan vote has narrowed down the final names to five: Utah Blizzard, Utah Mammoth, Utah Outlaws, Utah Venom and Utah Yeti. The Utah Hockey Club is part of the vote, and still could be the official name of the franchise.