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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – OCTOBER 8: Dylan Guenther #11 of the Utah Hockey Club celebrates his first period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center on October 8, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This game is the first for the franchise in Utah after moving from Arizona. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Tuesday marked the beginning of a new era in the NHL.

The Utah Hockey Club made its debut against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center, marking the start of the team's highly anticipated inaugural season.

The team, made up primarily of players from the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes, is looking to make a splash in its first year as a franchise. To help them do that, Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen attended the first puck drop.

Here are some other highlights from Tuesday's action:

Sportsnet @Sportsnet

The Utah Hockey Club has officially arrived. 🏔️
Watch their opening game LIVE on Sportsnet. 📺 pic.twitter.com/J5yC7MqDDl

The season started strong, with Dylan Guenther scoring a goal in the first period. The Utah Hockey Club added another goal from Clayton Keller in the first period.

Sportsnet @Sportsnet

WELCOME TO THE HISTORY BOOKS, DYLAN GÜNTHER! 🙌
THIS IS THE FIRST GOAL IN THE UTAH HOCKEY CLUB FRANCHISE HISTORY! 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/vcOfBRZNw8

While the Utah Hockey Club will likely have a new name, jerseys and team colors in the near future, Salt Lake City residents were still excited to bring a team to their city.

Bryan Fisher @BryanDFischer

Utah will be a good hockey market in my opinion.

Jimmie Chesh @Jimmie Chesh

Go UHC! The Delta Center looks electric. #UtahHC

For years, Utah has only had one professional sports team, the Utah Jazz. Now residents of the mostly empty market have another team to cheer for, and they'll likely bring the energy this year.

The odds against Utah as an expansion team are slim, but the NHL's most recent expansion teams have already proven successful after just a few seasons.

The Vegas Golden Knights, founded in 2017, reached the Stanley Cup Final in their first season and won it in 2023. The Seattle Kraken, founded in 2021, reached the second round in their second season as a team.

Now the Utah Hockey Club is looking to be the latest expansion team to find early success.

On By John Fenwick

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