The 35-year old defenceman spoke with reporters Tuesday on Zoom about his expectations for the coming season.

Ian Cole said he didn't need convincing to sign with the Utah Hockey Club.

Even though he's been to the city before, and his brother- and sister-in-law lives there, Cole knew what he could contribute as a veteran voice on a young team.

That's why the Michigan native, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins, signed a one-year contract with Utah Monday.

"I've heard stories about Utah from Kevin Deeth (former Utah Grizzly)," Cole told reporters on Zoom Tuesday. "He said it's a place that's crazy about their sports and supporting their teams."

Case in point: Cole dropped a hearsay from club management that over 12,000 people are expected for the Utah HC development camp scrimmage Friday at Delta Center -- which is a sellout in the arena's hockey configuration.

The excitement has been magnified by the recent blockbuster trade for Mikhail Sergachev, Cole's former teammate in Tampa Bay, the acquisition of John Marino, and the addition of bottom-six forward Kevin Stenlund from the Stanley Cup champion Panthers.

One can imagine, then, what Cole thinks the atmosphere will be like when he and the club plays its inaugural home opener October 8 vs. Chicago (8:00p.m. MT, ESPN/ESPN+).

"When I look at the roster, I think of the potential they have," he stated. "It's a team that I think I can play against and say, 'wow, this team is actually really good'."