For the first time ever, Utah will be home to an NHL team as the relocated Arizona Coyotes prepare to kick off the 2024-25 season in Salt Lake City. The news marks a historic moment for Utah’s sports landscape, and new team owner Ryan Smith is already generating buzz by involving fans in picking the team’s name. Smith, who also owns the Utah Jazz, announced plans on The Pat McAfee Show for a fan-driven bracket vote, narrowing eight potential names down to a final choice. Trademarks like “Blizzard,” “Venom,” and “Hockey Club” hint at some of the options on the table, though the final name remains wide open for fans’ input.
The Coyotes’ Arizona era has ended after a tumultuous journey marked by financial woes, multiple ownership changes, and a temporary move to a 4,500-seat arena shared with Arizona State. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman championed hockey in Arizona for years, but after nearly three decades of struggling to make it work, the league reached a deal with Smith to relocate the franchise to Utah’s capital.
Smith has assured fans that bot interference will be kept at bay during the voting, and though the team may temporarily go by “Utah Hockey Club,” the final name will reflect the broader state’s identity rather than just Salt Lake City. Fans have already shown their excitement, snapping up season tickets in droves just days after the announcement.
With the team’s new Utah identity on the horizon and a historic season ahead, Smith is confident that NHL hockey will find a passionate home in Utah.
