NHL commissioner Gary Bettman caught knocking back drinks during Utah's Inaugural game

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Jon McIntyre
October 9, 2024 (12:50)

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The NHL is expanding its horizons, and the inaugural game of the Utah Hockey Club was a milestone moment that didn't go unnoticed.

The Delta Center in Salt Lake City, better known for hosting basketball games, transformed into a hockey arena for its first regular season NHL game, and despite some quirky sightlines that come with a building designed for hoops, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric.

One of the biggest surprises of the night? NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who was spotted in the stands, casually enjoying a few cold pops alongside Utah Hockey Club owner Ryan Smith.

It's not every day you see the NHL head taking a break from behind the scenes work to soak in a game, but on this night, Bettman was all smiles. This unexpected, yet possibly controversial moment was the perfect reflection of the community vibe that the new Utah franchise hopes to build-where the fans and the league's big names are one and the same, just enjoying the game together.

The crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch when Dylan Guenther, a young star with some significant ties to the Vancouver Canucks, netted the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever goal.

For those unfamiliar with the backstory, Guenther was selected 9th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft-a pick that originally belonged to the Canucks. Vancouver traded that pick to the Arizona Coyotes in a blockbuster deal that helped them clear cap space by sending Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel, and Loui Eriksson to Arizona. In return, Vancouver acquired forward Connor Garland and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

While the arena may not have been built with hockey in mind, the roaring crowd of hockey-hungry fans quickly erased any concerns about awkward angles or sightlines.

For the new franchise, it was a flawless debut. The stands were packed with local supporters, many of them seeing their first NHL action live and fully embracing their new team. The Delta Center may need some adjustments for hockey, but if the excitement of the opening night is any indication, the Utah Hockey Club has the makings of something special.