Watch: Utah Hockey Club scores twice early in first game

The Utah Hockey Club is introduced to the fans before the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Delta Center on Tuesday. Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Watch: Utah Hockey Club scores twice early in franchise's first game

By Austen Bundy | Last updated 10/8/24

The Utah Hockey Club dropped the puck for its inaugural NHL game on Tuesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.

It was a milestone occasion that saw Utah Jazz player Lauri Markkanen — whose team shares the Delta Center in Salt Lake City with the hockey team now — skate out of the tunnel to deliver the puck for the ceremonial drop.

Not long after the actual puck drop, Utah opened its official account by scoring the first goal in franchise history. Forward Dylan Guenther ripped the puck past Chicago's goaltender and the arena erupted into cheers as the team took an early 1-0 lead.

DYLAN GUENTHER SCORES THE FIRST REGULAR SEASON GOAL IN UTAH HC HISTORY pic.twitter.com/1jz2TRK0fF
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 9, 2024

Utah's addition to the NHL was not made possible through the traditional expansion process. Instead, the league forced a sale of the Arizona Coyotes (minus the name and logo) in April to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith, who acquired the club for $1.2 billion.

The team has no official name or mascot beyond the generic "Utah Hockey Club" until the team releases the results of a fan poll next year. For now, it will wear black and blue sweaters with "Utah" across the body.

It hasn't been a smooth start for the club in its introduction to the league. During the preseason in September, it went viral for scoring the franchise's unofficial "first goal" as part of a rare own-goal gaffe.

And the Delta Center, built to primarily host basketball, still requires massive renovations to accommodate proper viewing angles and eliminate obstructed seats for hockey.

Later in the first period, Utah's captain, Clayton Keller, tacked on another spectacular goal.