Kearns • On the first day of the first training camp for the Utah Hockey Club, Jack McBain was focused on making the NHL team’s opening-night roster.
Away from the rink, he’s been checking out the world’s largest Costco with his roommate and potential linemate Dylan Guenther.
The two forwards are living together in their new state, and they skated with center Logan Cooley when the team began training camp Thursday at the Utah Olympic Oval. Preliminary combinations at these practices are always subject to change, but the trio opened with solid chemistry and pace.
McBain and Guenther have been able to lean on each other while learning the ins and outs of being NHL players over the past few seasons. They’re both entering their third full year with the team and are working to become staples alongside the star pivot Cooley.
“It’s good to have somebody you’re kind of going through the same thing with. Good to get away from the rink at times, too,” McBain said. “We try to keep busy. We usually end up at a Costco or Walmart just walking around.
“That store’s pretty crazy,” he said of the 235,000-square-foot Costco in Salt Lake City, “they’ve got everything.”
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club prospect Dylan Guenther speaks to the media as the Utah Hockey Club hosts their first NHL draft party at the Delta Center on Friday, June 28, 2024.
McBain said that the duo is going to broaden their horizons and explore Park City in the next few weeks, too.
The 6-foot-3 Toronto native is a natural center but moved to the left wing during Thursday’s practice, and that’s likely where he will stay. McBain played in 64 games for the Arizona Coyotes last season and posted 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists). McBain was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury in November 2023, which sidelined him for a chunk of the season.
“[McBain] can play both. He’s a really good centerman, to be honest, but he also brings physicality and a net presence and speed,” UHC head coach André Tourigny said. “I think he can be a good complement with Cooley and Guenther.”
McBain came into camp feeling strong and was not afraid to throw his body around during the team’s rushes. The confidence was clear. The 24-year-old said he put on around six pounds during his summer training back home.
“I always try to get bigger, faster,” McBain said. “Maintaining that will be the thing for me. That’s always tough throughout the year, but I think I’m kind of learning as the years go by. I feel good.”
Part of the learning curve of coming into the league is understanding how to take care of one’s body through the 82-game grind. McBain said he took strides last year in “becoming a complete pro.” He and Guenther have even started to curb their takeout bills and get in the kitchen themselves.
“We’ve actually started cooking a lot more,” McBain said. “We used to just eat out, but we’re coming around to it. I usually do the grill and he’ll get on the veggies and stuff. But we keep it simple.”
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club Head Coach André Tourigny, answers questions during media day at the Delta Center, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.
For McBain to succeed on the Utah roster, he knows he needs to stick to what he is good at. His heavy but fleet-footed, two-way identity adds an edge to the line with Guenther and Cooley. Cooley — 5-foot-10, 174 pounds — is on the smaller side, so McBain’s size adds some versatility to the group.
“Having McBain — he’s a big guy, opens a lot of room on the ice for me and Guenther,” Cooley said. “I think we complement each other really well out there. I think we have a lot of different abilities on that line.”
McBain has two more weeks of training camp, including exhibition games, to continue to prove himself ahead of Utah’s opening night at the Delta Center on Oct. 8 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
