Ryan Smith Sparks Sense of Optimism for new NHL Team in Utah

With the Coyotes officially relocated to Salt Lake City, new owner Ryan Smith is looking to shake up how things have been handled in the past for this organization.

While there is a somber mood in Arizona right now with the loss of the Coyotes, the people of Utah are currently rejoicing and embracing the fact that they will have an NHL team.

The Coyotes officially relocated to Salt Lake City on Thursday as the franchise is owned by Smith Entertainment Group led by Ryan Smith.

Shortly after the deal was finalized, Smith announced that there were 6,000 season ticket deposits in the first two hours of it being made available.

In his press conference with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Friday, Smith noted how much the news of professional hockey coming to Salt Lake City has united everybody in the state of Utah.

“I’ve never seen so many Republicans and Democrats and religious leaders and educational leaders all on the same page before. It’s emotional,” Smith said. “It’s incredible how much people care about this state.”

Bettman is enthused about what Salt Lake City could bring to the NHL and seemed to take a subtle shot at the Coyotes’ former ownership led by Alex Meruelo while talking about this subject.

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“We are grateful that we’ve been able to craft a solution that brings a team here to Salt Lake City, but just as importantly fixes an issue we had,” Bettman said. “We’re actually making the NHL and our game stronger.

“On a personal level, I can’t wait to come to games here — and steal a couple of days skiing, without anybody knowing about it. ... This is just a great place to be. You can feel the energy and excitement — it’s palpable.”

Bettman is not wrong when he referred to the Coyotes’ situation as an issue. The Coyotes have been playing at Mullett Arena in Tempe for the past two seasons which holds a capacity of about 5,000 people and is more of a college arena as opposed to one that can hold an NHL franchise.

The team will now play at the Delta Center down in Salt Lake City, home of the Utah Jazz. Smith is committed to providing the best possible fan experience, so it’s safe to say there won’t be as much arena drama.

“I received a plan that gets us to about 17,500 inside our arena that does not compromise the basketball experience. … We’re using new technology to figure out specifically behind the hoops/goals to be able to turn from hockey to basketball, and back and forth,” Smith said.

Despite the spark of initial interest to watch hockey in Utah, Smith made one thing very clear to Coyotes’ players upon meeting with them.

“I told the players we’ll get everyone in the first year, but it’s your job to keep them here.”