Introduction to the Utah Hockey Club
The Utah Hockey Club made a significant debut as a first-year NHL team, having been established when Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith acquired the hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes, which are now inactive. This deal was finalized in April, leading to a swift preparation for their opening night.
Historic Inaugural Game
In their inaugural game on Tuesday night at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, the team quickly made history. Forward Dylan Guenther scored the first goal in franchise history, giving Utah a 1-0 lead just under five minutes into the match. He executed a powerful one-timer past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek, with assists from Logan Cooley and Michael Kesselring.
Guenther’s Promising Future
At just 21 years old, Guenther is entering his third NHL season and recently signed an impressive eight-year contract extension worth over $57 million. This goal marked the 25th of his career, coming in his 79th NHL game, and he played a crucial role in ensuring Utah had a strong start to their new chapter.