SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Hockey Club is on the verge of unveiling its new name, with recent developments suggesting that the franchise may soon be known as the Utah Mammoth. This revelation comes after the club's official YouTube page briefly displayed the handle @UtahMammoth late Tuesday night, April 29, 2025, before the account was swiftly taken offline. Fans took screenshots of the handle, which quickly spread across social media, igniting excitement and speculation about the club's future identity.
Utah Mammoth has been a strong contender for the team's new name, having been one of three finalists in a fan vote conducted during the inaugural season. The other options included Utah Outlaws and the retention of the current name, Utah Hockey Club. The name Mammoth was also extended with the trademark office back in early February, while the other two names were not extended until early April.
Mike Maughan, an executive with the Smith Entertainment Group, which owns the Utah Hockey Club, addressed the leak during a Wednesday briefing about renovations to the Delta Center. Maughan stated, "Progress continues on exploring all three of the name options chosen as finalists by our fans. We are fully on track to announce a permanent name and identity ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season." Despite the buzz surrounding the potential name change, Maughan did not confirm whether Mammoth would be the final choice, emphasizing that the process is still ongoing.
President of Hockey Operations Chris Armstrong echoed Maughan's sentiments, stating, "We’re definitely in the home stretch and on track to announce that in the coming months here. Not much more I can say about it today." This indicates that fans can expect an official announcement soon, possibly before the NHL Draft scheduled for June 27-28, 2025.
In their inaugural season, the Utah Hockey Club finished with a respectable record of 38–31–13, placing sixth in the Central Division. Despite the promising performance, the team fell short of clinching a playoff spot, ending their season with a disappointing 6–1 loss to the St. Louis Blues, who secured the final playoff berth.
Standout performances characterized the season, with Clayton Keller leading the team with 89 points, while goalie Karel Vejmelka posted a record of 26-22-8 and a solid 2.58 goals against average. The team showed resilience throughout the season, but ultimately, their playoff aspirations were dashed.
As the Utah Hockey Club gears up for the next season, significant renovations are underway at the Delta Center, which it shares with the NBA's Utah Jazz. The venue is currently optimized for basketball but is undergoing changes to ensure it can effectively host hockey games as well. Armstrong revealed that renovation work has already begun and will continue until the first home preseason game. "Lots of work to be done over the next several summers to optimize the building for hockey," he added.
Ryan Smith, the owner of the team, previously noted that the renovation process would be extensive, estimating it to take about three years. "It’s a big lift. It would probably be easier to start from scratch. But, it’s really important for us to stay downtown," Smith stated. He emphasized the goal of creating the first-ever dual-purpose basketball and hockey arena while preserving the intimate atmosphere that fans love about the Delta Center.
With the NHL Draft approaching, the Utah Hockey Club is also eyeing potential prospects. The team has a 1.5 percent chance of winning the NHL Draft lottery, which could present an opportunity to select a top talent. Among the names being discussed are Boston College center James Hagens, who is listed with +410 odds to go first overall, and Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who is favored to be the first defenseman chosen at -158. Both players would be valuable additions to bolster the team's roster.
As the excitement builds around the potential name change to Utah Mammoth and the ongoing renovations at the Delta Center, fans are eager to see how the franchise will evolve in the coming months. The anticipation for the official announcement regarding the new name and identity is palpable, and with the NHL Draft on the horizon, the future looks promising for the Utah Hockey Club.
In conclusion, the Utah Hockey Club is on the brink of a significant transformation, both in its branding and its home arena. As the team prepares for its second season in the NHL, fans can look forward to an exciting summer filled with new developments, draft picks, and the unveiling of a new identity that aims to resonate with the community and the sport.
