Ryan Smith has some hockey roots. He played roller hockey growing up and can skate a little bit. He used to watch the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, a minor league hockey team from 1969-94, and wear Los Angeles Kings gear during the Wayne Gretzky era of 1988-96.

But that isn’t why he and his wife, Ashley, are bringing the NHL to Utah.

Smith said the NHL has piqued his interest more in recent years, making him say, “You know what? I would bet on hockey (flourishing) for sure. Like, everyone knows playoff hockey, live hockey, there’s not another sporting event like it.”

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— Nicholas J. Cotsonika/NHL.com

(April 18, 2024)