SALT LAKE CITY (AP) 鈥 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 鈥淕o, Utah! Go, Utah!鈥
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.
鈥淲e鈥檙e 70 people who got traded the same day and we鈥檙e going to the same place,鈥 coach Andr茅 Tourigny said. 鈥淚 think all of that creates some magic. I think we鈥檒l 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.鈥
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.
鈥淲e鈥檙e now a part of history,鈥 player Lawson Crouse said. 鈥淣ot 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鈥檙e really looking forward to get things rolling here.鈥
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.
鈥淲e just need ice whether it鈥檚 here or it鈥檚 at one of the practice rinks,鈥 general manager Bill Armstrong said. 鈥淎s long as we have ice, we鈥檙e good.鈥
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.
鈥淚t takes time to learn how to win in this league,鈥 Keller said. 鈥淲hen everyone buys in, I think that鈥檚 when you can take some steps and reach that next level.鈥
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