SALT LAKE CITY – Prospective hockey team owner Ryan Smith and Utah athletic director Mark Harlan teased a potential NHL Stadium Series game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The pair of sports figures in the state discussed the possibility of such an event on social media on April 13.
A day earlier, players for the NHL‘s Arizona Coyotes were reportedly told that the franchise would be relocating to Utah.
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Smith, who already owns the NBA’s Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake of MLS, is expected to become the Coyotes’ next owner. On Saturday morning, the expected hockey team owner shared a post on X regarding an NHL Stadium Series game at the University of Utah.
@JazzePinkman on X shared an image of a previous NHL Stadium Series game and another of a Rice-Eccles Stadium on the campus of the University of Utah. “Hear me out. A stadium series game in Rice-Eccles,” @JazzePinkman wrote.
Smith reposted the post, added his excitement for the idea, and tagged Utah president Taylor Randall.
“Umm.. This would totally be happening. I know @PresidentUofU would be down. You get it,” Smith said.
Umm.. This would totally be happening. I know @PresidentUofU would be down. You get it. https://t.co/NRIa3MdPtq
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) April 13, 2024
“Bring. It. On…..!!!!” Harlan replied to Smith’s comment.
Bring. It. On…..!!!! https://t.co/j5CNA6Pk84
— Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) April 13, 2024
The NHL Stadium Series began in 2014 and consists of regular season league games played outdoors.
The series has featured 11 games with 14 different franchises. The first NHL Stadium Series game was played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The most recent outdoor NHL game was at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Here's a timelapse of MetLife Stadium being transformed ahead of the 2024 NHL Stadium Series this weekend! 🏈➡️🏒
🧊 2/17 Flyers vs. Devils @ 8pm
🧊 2/18 Rangers vs. Islanders @ 3PM pic.twitter.com/X1kdAPSBuN— Jennifer X. Williams (@JenXperience) February 13, 2024
NHL Stadium Series games that have been played close to Utah were held in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2020 and Denver, Colorado in 2016.
In 2025, Ohio State University will host an outdoor contest between the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets.
An official announcement on the Coyotes’ relocation to Utah is reportedly expected within a week. Should Smith and the state of Utah land the Coyotes, Rice-Eccles Stadium would make a perfect home for an outdoor NHL contest.
Utah’s football stadium is nestled up against the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. The backdrop for an NHL Stadium Series game at R.E.S. would be breathtaking if the mountains were coated with “The Greatest Snow on Earth.”
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported April 18 as the day for an official announcement by the NHL on the Coyotes’ move to Utah.
I continue to hear April 18th as the day Gary Bettman will make the announcement on the Coyotes being sold to Ryan Smith and the team moving to Salt Lake City. All indications are this is the only option, and all the wheels are in motion for the purchase and transfer of assets.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) April 12, 2024
The team wraps up its regular season schedule at home on Wednesday, April 17.
The Coyotes own a 35-40-5 record this season and sit in seventh place in the Central Division.
Arizona has two games left on its schedule. The Yotes’ next game is on the road against the Calgary Flames on Sunday, April 14 at 6 p.m. (MT). The Coyotes close out the season vs. the Oilers at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona on April 17 at 8 p.m. (MT). Both games will be broadcast on NHLPP/ESPN+.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
