SALT LAKE CITY — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman appeared onstage with Utah Hockey Membership homeowners Ryan and Ashley Smith outdoors Delta Middle on Tuesday lower than six months after the League established a brand new franchise right here.

In a press convention earlier than Utah’s inaugural sport towards the Chicago Blackhawks (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, ESPN, SN, TVAS), Bettman stated that Smith Leisure Group exceeded the NHL’s extraordinarily excessive expectations in an unprecedented time-frame.

“We’re grateful to be right here in Salt Lake Metropolis, and we’re grateful to have the Smiths as homeowners of an NHL franchise,” Commissioner Bettman stated. “So, thanks for all you could have completed, and we all know it’s going to be an incredible run.”

Because the NHL established the franchise April 18, Utah has acquired the hockey property of the inactive Arizona Coyotes franchise and relocated executives, coaches, gamers and employees members to Salt Lake Metropolis.

SEG, which additionally consists of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, has completed preliminary renovations of Delta Middle whereas planning for extra sooner or later, constructed a short lived apply facility whereas breaking floor on a everlasting one, designed inaugural uniforms whereas engaged on a everlasting model id, and way more.

“Mainly, you all gave up your summers,” the Commissioner stated. “You didn’t have an offseason from the Jazz and all the pieces else that was occurring. Once more, what you achieved is each unprecedented and noteworthy.”

Ryan Smith referred to as SEG staff “true heroes.”

“You’re taking your badge of SEG off and also you placed on the Utah badge on a regular basis, and I simply hope you’re taking a second to understand what you’ve all achieved,” he stated.