The Utah Jazz did more than carve out a place in this city. They became a Salt Lake City institution, continuing to draw sellout crowds long after Stockton-to-Malone eventually turned into a rebuilding team that very well could be going

Utah HC general manager Bill Armstrong talked about it as a factor in determining that he should sign Dylan Guenther to a long-term contract, despite the fact that he hasn’t even played a full season in the NHL.

Utah Hockey Club head coach André Tourigny watches from the bench during the second period of a preseason NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps) Last season: 36-41-5,

Utah Hockey Club forward Barrett Hayton, right, moves the puck against San Jose Sharks center Will Smith during the first period of a pre-season NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in San Jose, Calif.

What’s an avalanche to a yeti? The Utah Hockey Club beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-3 on Sunday night. Utah looked shaky at the start, spending seemingly the entire first period in its own zone. But as the game went on, they found their footing and filled the net.

With new surroundings, Utah hopes for better results than it had before departing for Salt Lake City after 28 years in the Phoenix area, most recently as the Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes made the playoffs just once in their final 12 seasons.