Utah has an NHL team. Will people go to the games?
Jun 15, 2024, 8:37 PM
Fans cheer at the Delta Center as Utah's NHL hockey team is introduced to fans on April 24. Will people go to the games? (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Within an hour of receiving an email about season tickets for Utah’s new NHL team, Kyle Boyd had his name on the list to buy some.
The 52-year-old Sandy resident developed a love for hockey in his late teens, bolstered during his Latter-day Saint mission in Montreal. He was in what is widely considered the birthplace of the sport when the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 1993 — the last time a club north of the border took the title.
Boyd describes his fandom as “midway between casual and fanatic” and cheers for Montreal, Boston and Vegas. He has attended NHL games in several cities but only once before lived in a locale that had a team. The Phoenix Coyotes’ move to Salt Lake City gives him a hometown team to root for.
This week, Boyd secured his season tickets in a shared arrangement with two others. The trio split the $10,500 cost for two lower bowl seats for preseason and regular season home games. That comes out to $129 per ticket.
“It’s something I’ve wanted my whole life, ever since I became a hockey fan as a late teenager. I’ve always wanted to live somewhere where I had an opportunity to go to multiple games for the home team,” he said.
Boyd and his seatmates are among thousands of Utahns who say they will follow the team and attend games.
Please read the complete story at KSL.com
