Utah Hockey Club gives first look at new practice facility

SANDY — One by one, Utah Hockey Club players took Sharpies and signed a ceremonial beam.

The team gathered in a cavernous hall of steel Monday and swapped helmets for hard hats as they got a tour of what will soon be their new home. Right now, it takes some imagination — aided by some renderings — to see what things will look like in a few months, but the bones of the team's new training facility at South Town Mall have been completed.

The nearly 116,000-square-foot facility will feature two ice sheets, a players' lounge (with a team chef), a film room, a recovery area, and an off-ice training room.

Smith Entertainment Group, which bought the Sandy mall last year, has expanded on the old Macy's storefront on the south end to build the facility.

"We do have the open space to really build this how we want," SEG executive Jim Olson said. "The goal is that we will have the best — or one of the best — practice facilities in the NHL."

To help achieve that, the team turned to the players, picking their brains on what to include and how things should "flow" in their new space.

"We tried to involve them as much as we can in every part of this," team owner Ryan Smith said.

When things are all completed, Smith believes it will ultimately be one of the top training centers in the league.

"I think with the double ice sheet, it sets it apart right there," Smith said. "Brand new is always a good thing. I think it'll be right up there, hopefully, top five on Day 1. I don't think we've spared a whole lot."

And there's hope that will catch the eye of the players around the league — along with all the other buzz around the NHL's newest team and market.

"I think we're definitely a destination," Smith said. "I think we already feel that in hockey, but we've got to continue earning that. I talked to a lot of folks in the league, and I think that everyone sees where we are from a roster standpoint, the youth that we have, the future that's ahead of us, and then the intrigue of this market, and honestly, the way the community is rallied behind everything that we're doing, it's super powerful. So this is the next step."

The facility is set to be ready for the team to use on Sept. 1; but, in time, it won't be just for the players.

Beginning in early 2026, it will also be open for public use. There will be eight public locker rooms, viewing areas and a team store/pro shop. The space will also have gathering spaces for things like company events and birthday parties.

"This is the place where we're going to inspire the next generation of kids in Utah to play the game of hockey, and this is where we're going to put down all of the habits and the identity of this team for the future as we pursue a Stanley Cup for Utah," team president Chris Armstrong said.

And Smith has big dreams for what that next generation can accomplish.

He looked at the impact the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and the facilities built for the Games have had on the state's winter sports scene. It is now common for Olympic athletes to either come out of Utah or, at the very least, train in the state.

He believes the same thing can happen in hockey.

"We can play a massive part in that," he said. "It's pretty unique to be able to have a hand in the development of what could be part of the USA team in the future. And I think that Utah should be a part of that.

"That's how big this vision is going to become. And I think everyone sees it. This isn't it's not a matter of if, but just when."

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