Ryan Smith, SEG Plans To Build Up To 20 Ice Rinks In Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – After being asked about potential plans to build more ice rinks in the state, Utah Hockey Club owner Ryan Smith followed up with plans about the project on Monday.

He announced that Smith Entertainment Group plans to donate up to $500 thousand per rink for up to 20 new locations.

Following up … SEG is all in on growing hockey in Utah and doing it fast. To get started, SEG will donate up to $500K per rink on up to 20 new rinks. We’ll have out-of-the box plans for cities that can partner with entrepreneurs to build. Utah is the land of entrepreneurs. And… pic.twitter.com/5HNRDBDlF4

— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) March 31, 2025

Ryan Smith Announces Plans To Build Ice Rinks Across Utah

“Following up … SEG is all in on growing hockey in Utah and doing it fast,” Smith wrote. “To get started, SEG will donate up to $500K per rink on up to 20 new rinks. We’ll have out-of-the-box plans for cities that can partner with entrepreneurs to build. Utah is the land of entrepreneurs. And we’ll help line up anything else to make this happen. More details after the season!”

The topic was sparked by a social media post from a Utah Hockey Club fan on March 20.

They explained that ice time in Davis/Weber county is sparse, and his son was left disappointed after not being able to skate.

Hey @RyanQualtrics, any plans to help the state build more ice rinks? It’s brutal up here in Davis/Weber county. Ogden Ice sheet is always full and bountiful was closed tonight. My kid was so excited to skate tonight and was super bummed we couldn’t find anywhere to go. pic.twitter.com/eHUAv9p7Ij

— Matt (@attackedbypanda) March 21, 2025

Smith responded directly to the post and used Jr. Jazz as the template for what they want youth hockey in the state to look like.

“This is going to be a summer project. We believe that every municipality in Utah should have an Ice Rink,” Smith wrote. “Utah has the youngest demographics in the USA & is the fastest growing state. With basketball, we have 70,000 kids playing Jr. Jazz and more basketball courts per capita than anywhere else. (It) should be the same for hockey. More to come…”

Less than two weeks later, Smith followed up with more information. In his most recent post, he said that more details on the construction and location of the ice rinks will come after the conclusion of the NHL season.

Utah Hockey Club head coach André Tourigny showed his appreciation for the update shortly after Smith’s post, using hashtags that said “grateful” and “exciting time”.

Fantastic initiative!

Keep it rolling Utah!

Couldn’t be more proud of what’s going on here.#grateful #excitingtime https://t.co/VTyDMHtBCa

— André Tourigny (@BearTourigny) March 31, 2025

“Fantastic initiative,” Tourigny wrote. “Keep it rolling, Utah! Couldn’t be more proud of what’s going on here.”

Ever since the Hockey Club’s arrival last summer, both Smith and the entire state of Utah have bought into hockey. Truly exciting times in the Beehive State.