A line of eager fans snaked around the Delta Center early one morning last week, showcasing the excitement surrounding the new NHL franchise.
Over 300 dedicated Utah Hockey Club season ticket holders eagerly awaited the opening of the arena doors at 8 a.m. sharp, anticipating the much-anticipated release of the team’s official jerseys.
The combined efforts of the presale alongside public purchases at the Team Store led to an extraordinary achievement for Utah. Remarkably, Friday marked the highest single-day sales volume for a sports event at Delta Center, eclipsing the team’s opening-night figures from October 8 by a staggering 48%.
“This has been the kind of demand and support we’ve had since day one when we announced the franchise,” stated Utah HC president Chris Armstrong, expressing his optimism. “I think these are all really positive indicators for our future.”
Utah’s debut merchandise release also set impressive records across the league. It achieved the highest net merchandise sales total for an NHL regular season single game by an impressive 29%, as confirmed by officials from the Utah Hockey Club.
The sales figures were surpassed only by the Vegas Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup-clinching match at T-Mobile Arena in 2023, underscoring the significance of this release.
Premade player jerseys vanished from the shelves within just one hour at Delta Center, demonstrating the overwhelming demand. Smith Entertainment Group prioritized getting jerseys to fans quickly, resulting in fewer player versions being available in time for the November release compared to the planned February drop.
Fans were still able to personalize their jerseys with names and numbers from any roster player, though customization services have since been paused due to a surge in requests.
Due to the overwhelming number of personalized jersey orders, the team announced that black customized jerseys would be shipped within seven to 10 business days, while the white versions are expected to ship within a timeframe of 10-14 business days.
Friday’s release featured limited stock, but Armstrong reassured fans that a restock is slated for early 2025, which will include additional player jerseys and sizes for children.
“It’s a balance between speed and practicality,” Armstrong commented. “The good news is we are going to continue to press — we have lots of kits to remake player jerseys, so we’ll be able to catch that up. We’re going to need a little bit of patience which we’ll be grateful for for sure. We’ll make sure everybody gets the players they’re looking for.”
While Utah jerseys on NHLShop.com and NHLShop.ca sold out in an incredible 24 hours, fans visiting the Team Store at Delta Center on November 18 still found some blank inventory available, indicating a strong local demand.
Tara Lynn, who developed a love for hockey through family ties, awoke at 5:30 a.m. to secure her place in line for the jersey presale. She opted to customize a blank jersey featuring the name and number of goaltender Karel Vejmelka, commemorating his spectacular 49-save performance against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Lynn was among the first wave of fans welcomed into an electrifying team store that remained bustling with eager shoppers throughout the day.
“I think it’s super encouraging, especially in Utah. We know we have a huge sports fan base – with BYU and Utah – so it’s really nice to see everyone come out and the community be here,” Lynn remarked. “You definitely see people wearing former teams that they have liked. I think it’s going to be a lot different and a lot more exciting with people all wearing [Utah] jerseys.”
Scott Jackson, a life-long Utah resident and season ticket holder, expressed enthusiasm about the inaugural jersey’s unique history, including the commemorative patches on the shoulders, stating that he felt compelled to obtain one during the exclusive presale event. Nevertheless, he plans to buy next year’s uniforms featuring the official logo as well.
“Obviously I’ll probably even buy a jersey when they get whatever name they’re gonna get,” Jackson said enthusiastically. “Having the jerseys with all the patches and the names is really going to add a lot more excitement for the players and us as fans.”
Jackson specifically selected a black jersey representing Dylan Guenther, who scored the first-ever goal for the Utah Hockey Club on opening night, further highlighting the connection fans are forging with their new team.
Utahns have shown tremendous loyalty to their new NHL team since the franchise announcement in April, and now they possess a tangible representation of their burgeoning passion for hockey.
“Based on the history and legacy of the way that fans in the community support sports here, we felt really good about that when we took on this project – that Utah would embrace it and embrace it proudly,” Armstrong concluded.
How does the customization of jerseys enhance the overall fan experience, and what steps are being taken to accommodate demand?
**Interviewer**: Good afternoon, Chris! Thank you for joining us today. The recent jersey release was astounding, with over 300 dedicated fans lined up outside the Delta Center. Can you share more about the excitement you observed that morning?
**Chris Armstrong**: Absolutely! The energy was electric. Fans were eager and ready, and the lines confirmed what we’ve felt since day one—the support for the Utah Hockey Club is phenomenal. To see that enthusiasm right outside our doors was incredibly rewarding.
**Interviewer**: It’s impressive that the sales figures exceeded even your opening night. What do you think contributed to this remarkable success?
**Chris Armstrong**: The combined efforts of both presale and on-site purchases really played a significant role. Our fans have shown tremendous support, and the unique offerings of our jerseys resonated with them. It’s definitely a strong indicator of our potential moving forward.
**Interviewer**: The records set during this merchandise release are quite notable, especially being surpassed only by the Vegas Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup game. How does that make you feel as the president of the Utah Hockey Club?
**Chris Armstrong**: It’s truly humbling. To be mentioned alongside a significant event like that is a testament to the hard work we’ve put in and our unique market position. Our fans are incredibly passionate—it’s just validating to see that fully expressed through our merchandise sales.
**Interviewer**: With the jerseys flying off the shelves, what steps are you taking to ensure fans can still get their desired products?
**Chris Armstrong**: We’re currently working hard on restocking. We have plans to introduce more player jerseys and additional sizes for children early in 2025. We just ask for a bit of patience as we manage the demand and logistics. Our goal is to meet our fans’ needs as quickly and effectively as possible.
**Interviewer**: Tara Lynn, one of the fans, shared her excitement over customizing a jersey for goaltender Karel Vejmelka. Do you think personalized jerseys add to the overall fan experience?
**Chris Armstrong**: Without a doubt! Customization allows fans to connect personally with the team and its players, fostering a deeper bond. We’re thrilled to offer that service, even though we had to temporarily pause the customization due to high demand. We’re committed to ensuring every fan gets the experience they desire.
**Interviewer**: Lastly, how do you see the Utah Hockey Club evolving in the future based on this overwhelming initial response?
**Chris Armstrong**: This is just the beginning. The fantastic reception we’ve received encourages us to develop our brand and also engage with our community more. We believe in building a long-lasting hockey culture in Utah, and with this support, I’m optimistic about what’s to come.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Chris. Your insight into the Utah Hockey Club’s journey is inspiring. We look forward to seeing how the franchise continues to grow!
**Chris Armstrong**: Thank you! I’m excited for the future, and I appreciate the support from everyone in our community!
