Is Salt Lake City Next for NHL Expansion?

Salt Lake City Could be the Next NHL Market

The Seattle Kraken and the rest of the National Hockey League (NHL) teams could have a new opponent in a new city in the next few years. 

This prospect of a new NHL club comes as the Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), the parent company of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, and their CEO, Ryan Smith, announced this week that they had formally asked the NHL to initiate the process for expansion in hopes of bringing an NHL franchise to Utah. It is believed that the Delta Center, the home of the Jazz, would be used as a temporary home for the new club if the ownership groups pursue new hockey arena options. The Delta Center is hockey-ready, as it has hosted five NHL pre-season games in past years. 

The state has had a long history of hockey as the home of several minor professional teams, including the Utah Grizzlies, who play in the ECHL. Utah also features several ACHA college, junior, senior and youth programs.

The skyline of Salt Lake City, Utah (Photo: Skyguy 414/Wikimedia Commons)

The NHL on Coming to Salt Lake City

Following the news from SEG, the NHL released its statement on its website.

 “The NHL appreciates the interest expressed by Smith Entertainment Group to bring NHL hockey to Utah. During conversations over the past two years, we have been impressed by Ryan and Ashley Smith’s commitment to their community and their passion and vision for Utah, not only as a hockey market but as a preeminent sports and entertainment destination. Utah is a promising market, and we look forward to continuing our discussions.” 

So, the process has started to get the puck moving for the NHL to expand to Utah, which could be the NHL’s latest franchise. We will follow this story as it develops. Salt Lake City also has the bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics.