Whether it's cross country running in the fall or skiing in the winter, Utah's affair with sports is the reason why the NHL has been a long time coming
To be honest, I was trying to find a picture of Peaks Ice Arena, but I guess a shot of Mount Timpanogos will have to do.
It's a perfect backdrop, however, for the arena, which sits at the front of the Wasatch Range and the mouth of Rock Canyon.
It also is a perfect home for the Utah Valley Wolverines club hockey program, as well as several beer leagues and formerly the NCDC's Provo Predators hockey club, which moved to Wyoming to make way for the NHL team this summer.
The NCDC's Utah Outliers and Ogden Mustangs still call the Beehive State home, and the Utah Utes club team is one of the most successful in the ACHA.
And even when the Peaks Ice Arena is not being used for skating, the gym is still packed to capacity with people keeping in shape for rock climbing and hiking, among other things.
That would explain why people are constantly tubing down the Provo River, hiking Bridal Veil Falls, and visiting the national parks down in St. George.
Utah is obsessed with sports, and their fandom goes deep, as seen in the history of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles.
Having an NHL team now adds a missing piece to the Beehive State's sports landscape, and one that has been clamored for for many years.
It will also add opportunities for NCDC prospects with the Mustangs and Outliers, along with Utah Valley and Utah, to get a look from NHL scouts literally up the road from them.
And with a new practice and mixed-use facility going up in Jordan at South Towne Shops, this is only the beginning to what can be possible.
Safe to say, then, Salt Lake City, and Utah at large, finally has its chance to be the new sports crossroads of the West.