The 16,020 in attendance at the Delta Center witnessed history last night — Utah Hockey Club’s first game as a franchise, the first goal by Dylan Guenther, and the first win — a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
If you were there: What did you think? Did the experience live up to your expectations? Look through the photos and then tell us about it in the form below.
For the rest of us who didn’t swing one of the hottest tickets in the hockey world, Tribune photographers were present to document the birth of Utah’s newest professional sports franchise. Scroll down to see the best images from a historic first night.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans gather as Utah Hockey Club's first NHL season kicks off at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club center Liam O'Brien signs autographs as he arrives at the Delta Center, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah goalie Connor Ingram takes to the ice as Utah Hockey Club's first NHL season kicks off at the Delta Center against the Chicago Blackhawks in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah fans celebrate the first goal of the season as Utah Hockey Club's first NHL season kicks off at the Delta Center against the Chicago Blackhawks in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz player Lauri Markkanen delivers the game puck as Utah Hockey Club's first NHL season kicks off at the Delta Center against the Chicago Blackhawks in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Fans cheer for the first goal, in the inaugural game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks, at the Delta Center, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy (5) fights Utah Hockey Club Sean Durzi (50), in the inaugural game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks, at the Delta Center, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club Logan Cooley (92) and Utah Hockey Club Dylan Guenther (11) and Utah Hockey Club Alex Kerfoot (15) celebrate the 4th goal of the night near the end of the third period, in the inaugural game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks, at the Delta Center, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dylan Guenther (11), Utah Hockey Club, in the inaugural game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks, at the Delta Center, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club squares off with the Chicago Blackhawks during Utah’s first NHL inaugural season at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans celebrate Utah Hockey Club's first inaugural NHL season with a win at the Delta Center against the Chicago Blackhawks in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah hockey fans celebrate Utah Hockey Club's first inaugural NHL season with a win at the Delta Center against the Chicago Blackhawks in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dan Mecham celebrates with son Teague, 7, as Utah Hockey Club gets the win over the Chicago Blackhawks during their inaugural NHL season at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
