Hear what the fans' anticipation sounded like during Friday's NHL Draft party at Delta Center.
Tij Iginla and Cole Beaudoin stole the headlines Friday as Utah Hockey Club made history with their two selections in the Upper Deck NHL Draft at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
It didn't stop the fans at Delta Center from enjoying the festivities at the draft party, and sharing their excitement for the season ahead.
"Any time we have a professional sports team playing, it adds plenty of spirit to the city," fan Dawn Barrett, who attended the event with her husband, Rin, and some of their family, said.
That spirit extends to the young people, too.
"It's awesome; I haven't had a hockey team to watch in a while," fan Dominic Faciane said. "It's cool to have one now."
Faciane should know; he grew up in California outside of Los Angeles, right in the territory of the Los Angeles Kings.
Another fan, Jake Snow, who grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and Faciane's friend, also shared in the excitement.
But the biggest anticipation in that group came from Michigan native Liz Forton, who grew up cheering for the Detroit Red Wings. (Forton said she will maintain both her Red Wings and Utah fandom at the same time.)
"I hope there's a couple fights," Forton said. "It's not interesting unless there's fights."
Rin Barrett is keen on keeping his loyalty to both Utah HC and the Utah Grizzlies, calling outings to Utah HC games "a treat".
"It's not as easy to come to games for us," he said. "Everyone in our family is excited for this."