04/24/24 09:38:00
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04/24 21:37 CDT Utah's new NHL team facing daunting transition from Arizona
with optimism
Utah's new NHL team facing daunting transition from Arizona with optimism
By JOHN COON
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) --- Utah hockey fans welcomed the former Arizona Coyotes to
their new home Wednesday.
Players and coaches were greeted at the airport in morning by a crowd of
approximately 100 players from local youth hockey programs. The kids chanted
"Go, Utah! Go, Utah!"
The team attended a fan celebration at the Delta Center in the afternoon. The
arena was packed for the free event, with many fans turned away at the doors.
"We're 70 people who got traded the same day and we're going to the same
place," coach Andr Tourigny said. "I think all of that creates some magic. I
think we'll just be tighter with that. When you want to win championships, you
need to go through the trenches together. We went through some trenches this
year."
The challenges uprooting from Arizona are tempered by the energetic reception
the club has received in the state and a chance to build a new culture.
"We're now a part of history," player Lawson Crouse said. "Not too many people
get to say they can do this. Obviously, the circumstances over the past couple
of weeks have been unlike anything out there, but to be here now we feel
honored, and we feel blessed and we're really looking forward to get things
rolling here."
Immediate concerns for the team from a logistical standpoint include getting
practice facilities and a locker room in place. They plan to make temporary
arrangements with community venues for the near future.
"We just need ice whether it's here or it's at one of the practice rinks,"
general manager Bill Armstrong said. "As long as we have ice, we're good."
Four-time All-Star forward Clayton Keller thinks team can break through and be
a playoff team in its debut season in the Beehive State after failing to reach
the postseason the last four years in Arizona.
"It takes time to learn how to win in this league," Keller said. "When everyone
buys in, I think that's when you can take some steps and reach that next level."
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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