Apr 10, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; The Utah Hockey Club celebrates a goal by Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d0f3caf6-77e9-4c6a-bc7e-1c94e96aaddb.jpeg] Apr 10, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; The Utah Hockey Club celebrates a goal by Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images The Delta Center is going to look mighty empty real soon. Utah’s inaugural season isn’t over just yet, with the team having three road games remaining. But after a 4–3 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators, its last home game of the season, fans will have to wait months before they can chant 'Veggie,' the nickname of team MVP Karel Vejmelka, once again. "Yeah, it's getting crazy. I like to see that, and I can't wait to see that again next season," said Vejmelka. "It's a really cool feeling, especially on the ice, and I really feel that support. So like I said, I really appreciate it." Despite the game ending in a loss, the vibe of the night remained celebratory during the award ceremony, with Utah owner Ryan Smith [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah/latest-news/andre-tourigny-among-many-supporting-ryan-smith-and-the-new-utah-ownership] assuring fans that the organization was 'just getting started.' Still, the crowd would have been buzzing even more if Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/for-predators-filip-forsberg-global-series-offers-special-opportunity-to-play-nhl-games-in-his-native-sweden]hadn’t stolen the victory with his shootout goal, silencing the Utah home crowd. With Utah’s Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller, and Nick Schmaltz all unable to score against Nashville goalie Juuse Saros, Forsberg’s goal was all Nashville needed to cap off a hard fought game with a win. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/game-day/nashville-predators-vs-utah-hockey-club-live-game-thread] And with no playoff berth on the table, there was no solace in Guenther, who unfortunately didn't get a "birthday present" from coach Andre Tourigny and the team, forcing overtime with his goal in the third period. Utah certainly would have liked to leave its home fans with a win, especially after a thrilling shootout, but there will be plenty more home games to come for this team There will be more antics from fans to go along with the broccoli throwing and various vegetable headwear. There will be more Liam O'Brien impersonators and hopefully more memorable moments from Cole Stroh, the Utah season ticket holder known for his shiny suit jacket [https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-hockey-club/2025/03/15/utah-hockey-club-fan-wears/], in the future. "It was special for us. It was the team’s first year and there were a lot of emotions," said Tourigny. "There were a lot of connections with the crowd and the way they supported us, we wanted to play for them and play in front of them. It’s just tough right now to comprehend that there's no more this year. We're addicted now. We're looking forward to the next one, but we'll have to wait a little bit." What Utah and its fans will hope for is that next season lasts just a little longer... specifically, a postseason longer. "Just a special moment. First season here in NHL history," said Keller. "Sometimes it's crazy to think about that, how quickly it happened and how great of a move it's been. So just super thankful. So many people gave us a great position to be successful and I couldn't be more excited for next year." The appreciation is mutual between the Utah Hockey Club and its fans, with the team showing its gratitude through various moments, such as the different graphics presented throughout the game, the pre-game festivities, or simply doubling the amount of the Delta gift card giveaway segment to prove it. To make the closing moments of Utah's final home game last just a little bit longer for both the team and the fans, Utah hosted a team awards ceremony, where five of its players were honored. "A coach is like a father and you want everybody to be recognized," said Tourigny. "Those five players have been recognized and they all deserve it, no doubt about it. But there's a lot of guys, unsung heroes, on our team that I would have loved to see them be rewarded as well. I understand we need to have limits, but I think there are a lot of guys who put their heart into the job this year, and they helped us make this year a special year." Along with Vejmelka's MVP award, Utah awarded the following: The Community Obsessed Award: Given to Alexander Kerfoot for being the most active in the Utah community. You can learn more about his efforts in Belle Fraser's story for the Salt Lake Tribune, which highlights Kerfoot’s involvement in growing girls' hockey in Utah. [https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-hockey-club/2025/03/16/alex-kerfoot-donates-tickets-utah/] The Three Stars Award: Given to Guenther for registering the most Three Stars selections on the team. The Leading Scorer Award: Given to Keller for finishing as Utah's leading scorer... well, at least until Guenther tied his goal mark with his 27th goal midway through the game. But Keller did have the most goals prior to the game against Nashville, so it still counts. The All-In Award: Given to Barrett Hayton, selected by Utah fans for his efforts on the ice. And as mentioned previously, Vejmelka's teammates selected him as the Team's MVP for both his play and his presence off the ice. "It's a great feeling, especially (the) first year," said Vejmelka. "But I would say it's a team trophy and a team award. I couldn't get a trophy without the guys, without (my) teammates. They're a big part of it and I really appreciate it." So while the season is nearing an end for Utah, there is only a bright future ahead for this team here in Utah.
