The NHL’s newest team is introducing a unique fan experience on Tuesday.
The Utah Mammoth unveiled the “Zammoth” on Tuesday, a fan mobile built from a Zamboni used in the 2002 Winter Olympics. It will be used for the first time during the team’s contest against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Zamboni had been sitting in the Delta Center’s basement for years, but was brought back into use when the team decided to add a new fan experience.
“We needed the backbone of a Zamboni and as we started asking around, someone raised their hand at the arena and was like, ‘Well hold on a second. We actually have something that ties this incredible history of the arena to what we’re trying to accomplish,'” Smith Entertainment Group President of Revenue and Commercial Strategy, Chris Barney said, per KSL Sports. “How cool that the DNA from the Olympics is actually in the body of the Zammoth.”
Mammoth fans will get the chance to ride the Zammoth before games and during intermissions at home games. The Columbus Blue Jackets have their own version called the “Boomboni,” while the Florida Panthers also have a Zamboni for fans to ride.
“It’s just one more example of us being totally dedicated to the fan experience,” Barney said. “Sometimes the best ideas are found from other people and then taking them and kind of putting them on steroids. You don’t always have to innovate a brand-new idea. There’s great ideas out there that you can take and add your own flare to it.”
While the Zammoth won’t actually be able to clean the ice, it can seat up to eight fans. It will also be on display at the arena this week for fans to get an up-close look.
The Mammoth, who are 40-36-6 this season, have a three-game home stand ahead against Edmonton, Nashville and Carolina. With six games remaining this year, Utah is closing in on clinching its first playoff berth.