The NHL is finally coming to Utah.
The league officially announced the sale of the Arizona Coyotes to Ryan and Ashley Smith Thursday, with the Jazz owners set to move the team to Salt Lake City for the upcoming campaign.
Social media was ablaze with excitement for the state’s new squad.
Here are some of the most notable reactions.
The stage is set for #NHLinUtah! pic.twitter.com/bPBdSyW7q9
— NHL (@NHL) April 18, 2024
The @NHL is here! Utah let’s go! https://t.co/VwfWS2mkS9
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) April 18, 2024
Welcome to Utah, @NHL! https://t.co/yM9QAPzTHa
— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) April 18, 2024
Welcome to Utah, the State of Sport! #LetsGo https://t.co/XqUJ6qdcHr
— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) April 18, 2024
I can’t wait for the future of our downtown and the first @NHL game in Salt Lake City! This is the next step toward reinvigorating our downtown and cementing our city as the heart and hub of sports, culture, and entertainment in Utah and the Intermountain West. https://t.co/Ckwcd3bOEB
— Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) April 18, 2024
Welcome to Utah! 💜#NHLinUtah
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 18, 2024
Welcome to Utah! https://t.co/GFo0rLIbCn
— Big League Utah (@BigLeagueUtah) April 18, 2024
The @NHL is coming to Utah 🗻#NHLinUtah
— Delta Center (@deltacenter) April 18, 2024
MORE: https://t.co/OEA5ebH6vS pic.twitter.com/yIGNNauPLI
Welcome to Salt Lake! https://t.co/uGrIC12z4e
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) April 18, 2024
“I’m excited for Salt Lake City. If you’re gonna move, it’s a good place to go.”@ArizonaCoyotes goalie @CBIngram1 talks about the impact of relocation on Arizona and looking forward to playing in Utah. #Yotes #NHL pic.twitter.com/PF3wtHxWK9
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 18, 2024
“We’re an exciting team.”@ArizonaCoyotes center Logan Cooley says fans in Utah can expect to watch a team “on the rise.”#Yotes #NHL pic.twitter.com/dzaMXPsNyf
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 18, 2024
NHL commish Gary Bettman on the league’s move to Utah: “We think NHL hockey will thrive there.” pic.twitter.com/mk3YI7YoAU
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) April 18, 2024
I played for the Salt Lake City Golden Eagles in 1988-89. Won a Turner Cup there. IHL Champions Great city, great hockey fans and an absolute beautiful city to live in. I have great memories of being and playing there. Good luck you’ll be great for the @NHL… https://t.co/AdxI1RwpJg
— Theo Fleury (@TheoFleury14) April 18, 2024
This is so exciting for the entire state….congratulations to @RyanQualtrics and his team for making it happen. @utahathletics welcomes the NHL to SLC!!!! https://t.co/RUI7TqjEUB
— Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) April 18, 2024
Hockey town. https://t.co/D6UFL0S7eQ
— Jeff Hansen (@rakoto10) April 18, 2024
Salt Lake City is growing up!
— Michael Rueckert (@MichaelRueckert) April 18, 2024
✅ NBA
✅ Winter Olympics
✅ Power Four College Sports
✅ MLS
✅ NHL
When I was a child, this city had just one of those.
MLB, you’re on deck. https://t.co/zw8afTOSkA
YASS‼️
— University of Utah (@UUtah) April 18, 2024
Welcome to Utah, @NHL https://t.co/Mdz24OdYzP pic.twitter.com/xnDHPy9UBE
You need some chills? Watch it......
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) April 18, 2024
You know you want to.
The NHL is in SLC! https://t.co/NPpvZfWL42
I’m thrilled to welcome the National Hockey League to Utah, the winter sports capital of the world. The NHL will bolster our economy and enrich the lives of Utah families for generations to come.
— Daniel McCay (@danmccay) April 18, 2024
Special thanks to @RyanQualtrics and Ashley Smith. https://t.co/ZtgW5XeSdp
Let’s go!!! https://t.co/iEn0kwrUua
— Salt Lake 2034 (@SLC2030) April 18, 2024
This is incredible for the city and state!
— Matt Sanchez (@_MattSanchez) April 18, 2024
Utah is ready for another major league team.
Pretty wild how this came together so quickly. Major props to Ryan Smith and SEG for making this happen! #NHLinUtah https://t.co/Sq0i3njao8
@RyanQualtrics you are making dreams come true brother! Thank you!! https://t.co/17n7NLJD7m
— Bam Bams BBQ (@BamBamsBBQ) April 18, 2024