BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — For the first time since 2022, we had NHL hockey in the Gem State as the Utah Mammoth took on the Los Angeles Kings in front of a sold-out Idaho Central Arena in Boise, and it showed off the hockey culture of this state.
“It’s a great rink here. I was impressed. I’ve never been to this rink and it looked like a sold-out barn to me, so it was nice to have the fan support and cheering us on and nice to come here. I think it’s awesome to get hockey everywhere and keep growing the game and I think it’s awesome that the league does this in preseason and pretty cool to be a part of,” said Mammoth forward Cameron Hebig.
Growth of the game of hockey has always been a big point of emphasis for the league and with the NHL’s newest market being Utah, they wanted to expand their fanbase in the entire Mountain West region.
Head coach André Tourigny says this is a big part in the future of the sport.
“I think it’s important to ignite the passion in fans and I think when you can be a role model, the player can be a role model for a certain kid who was in the stands and saw a certain player play, and they could put a face to their dream maybe, so I really like that,” Tourigny said.
This will only be the second season that Utah has had an NHL franchise after the Arizona Coyotes made the move up from the desert.
In just a short time however, Coach Tourigny says the growth of the fanbase both in and outside of the state has been noticeable.
“Yeah, I think we saw it last year during the season. We saw the energy of the fans and everybody was talking about it in town and everywhere we were going so we could see that the fever is there,” Tourigny said.
Fan fever is just the start, because once the fans are there, it’s impossible for the players to not want to show up to the rink every day.
“I think that’s how you build a feeling of belonging. I think when people show you so much energy, so much love, so much pride, I think that cannot be {do anything} otherwise than motivate you,” Tourigny said.
Utah’s regular season begins October 9 on the road against the Colorado Avalanche, while the home opener will be October 15 against the Calgary Flames as the team will take the ice as the “Mammoth” for the first time in a regular season home game, after being known as the “Hockey Club” all last season.
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