Many Utah Hockey Club players’ careers started on an outdoor rink.
Ian Cole’s dad built a backyard sheet for him as a kid in Michigan; Nick Bjugstad used to beg his parents to go to the Happy Acres outdoor ice in Minnesota; and Dylan Guenther spent hours on frozen ponds in Edmonton.
The NHL has replicated that childhood experience for its athletes and fans through outdoor events like the Winter Classic, Stadium Series and Heritage Classic.
Team president Chris Armstrong seems to think Utah should be on the list of upcoming hosts.
While on KSL Sports Zone radio recently, Armstrong said an outdoor game in Utah was a possibility and is something the franchise is already talking about.
“I think it would be great here. Great climate, great setting obviously with the mountains in the background,” Bjugstad said. “It’s a fun game for the fan base. For the players, it’s like we’re back when we were kids again playing outside. When you have one of those, it’s kind of marked on your calendar.”
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club President of Hockey Operations Chris Armstrong answers questions during media day at the Delta Center, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.
Bjugstad has played in two NHL outdoor games: the 2019 Stadium Series with the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Philadelphia Flyers at Lincoln Financial Field and the 2022 Winter Classic with the Minnesota Wild against the St. Louis Blues at Target Field.
“I played in the one in Minnesota and it was below zero. It was freezing. I was more so wondering how the fans were handling it,” Bjugstad said. “As a player, it was incredible to see the Minnesota fans like that — show support and freeze their butts off like that.”
The Winter Classic is an annual outdoor game held on or around New Year’s Day in a different NHL city. This season, the Chicago Blackhawks faced off against the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field.
The Stadium Series is usually a small slate of games held in the second half of the year between neighboring teams. Last season, the Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and New York Rangers each played a game at MetLife Stadium. This year, it is just one game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium on March 1.
FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2016, file photo, more than 50,000 fans watch the Minnesota Wild play the Chicago Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium during the NHL Stadium Series hockey game, in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Wild, after years of lobbying the league, will finally host the NHL's signature regular season event next year. The 2021 Winter Classic will coincide with the franchise's 20th anniversary season. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig, File)
The Heritage Classic is a bit different as it exclusively takes place in Canada and happens less frequently. Its 2003 inaugural game was the NHL’s first outdoor regular season event. The last Heritage Classic was in 2023 between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.
Utah could potentially host a Winter Classic or Stadium Series. It has some scenic options to choose from, too — LaVell Edwards Stadium and Rice-Eccles Stadium would be fitting backdrops to further introduce Utah to the rest of the league.
Cole has skated in two Stadium Series: in 2017 with the Penguins against the Flyers at Heinz Field and in 2020 with the Colorado Avalanche against the Los Angeles Kings.
“They were both an unbelievable time,” Cole said. “Just having that really unique experience to break up the season is pretty cool. And to get all new jerseys and all new equipment and stuff.”
Utah Hockey Club center Nick Bjugstad (17) smiles on the ice during warmups prior to an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)
Every outdoor NHL game features special edition uniforms for the teams. The Winter and Heritage Classic jerseys usually have a vintage twist to them while the Stadium Series has a more modern feel.
Beyond the spectacle of the game, players have to adjust to skating outdoors in a regular season contest. Whether it’s cold temperature, snow, rain, heat from the sun or shadows, there are a lot more elements to handle than when playing in an indoor arena.
“The game we played in Colorado, LA wore all white jerseys. They blended in with the ice, it was so hard to see them,” Cole said. “There are some unique challenges. If you play in the afternoon there’s a glare.”
The players, though, don’t seem to mind the quirks that come with outdoor games. Guenther — who is in his first full NHL season — said he would like the opportunity to participate in one of those events, especially in Utah.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) LaVell Edwards Stadium, BYU football in Provo on Saturday August 31, 2024.
“I think that would be pretty cool. I’ve never played a competitive game outside before but I spent a lot of hours at the outdoor rink and outdoor pond up in Canada. I think that would be sweet,” Guenther said.
As Utah Hockey Club and its state continue to spread its brand across the league, hosting an outdoor game could help build awareness and fandom around the organization. Based on the early and loyal support The Club has received in the first half of its inaugural season, the team believes this would help push the initiative.
“I feel like the game has grown a lot even since we’ve gotten here,” Guenther said. “[Michael] Carcone said his kids’ skates are jammed packed — everyone wants to get into hockey. It’s pretty cool to be a part of that and someone who the kids look up to.”
The 2025 Winter Classic and Stadium Series’ teams and locations were both announced in February 2024, so fans will know about the 2026 arrangements in the coming months. While Utah may not be the next selection, it has put itself in the mix.
“With the layout, the city and our fans — the atmosphere we have in our building every game,” head coach André Tourigny said. “To make hockey even more popular here would be awesome.”
