Utah
NHL Central Division: What can the new Utah Hockey Club learn from the Colorado Avalanche?
The new Utah Hockey Club has the potential to build an impressive legacy, one surrounded by winning and maintaining a loyal fan base.
It’s easier said than done, but Utah can look to the Colorado Avalanche as an example for success in the NHL.
The Quebec Nordiques had an impressive following and a rich history. However, they didn’t win the Cup, something the Colorado Avalanche did their first year after relocating from Quebec to Denver in the 1995-96 season.
Adding insult to injury for Quebec fans, Colorado won the Cup in their first year in Denver.
Utah has the opportunity to achieve similar success. After only making one divisional championship appearance in their entire time in Arizona, Utah’s new hockey team has consistently struggled and almost embodied a losing team with a struggling fanbase.
Losing certainly doesn’t fill arenas, and once losing becomes the expected form of play, fanbases rapidly depart any interest in such a team.
Utah is a fresh start centered on a community that has proven itself to root for professional sports. Utah Jazz fans are some of the most loyal and dedicated in the league. This remains the case even though they have yet to win their prized first championship, losing back-to-back appearances against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
The Avalanche created a fan base based on star players (Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy) and, most importantly, an expectation centered on winning.
Like the fairly new Vegas Golden Knights, the Avalanche took the league by storm, putting a competitive roster on the ice and setting a new standard.
Today, both the Avalanche and Golden Knights continue to be examples of how to build NHL rosters around the league.
New ownership, a new fanbase, and a new home will assist Utah in forming a different legacy. While Utah may not experience the same quick success as Colorado, it has the potential to change its franchise narrative and improve its play.
Winning solves everything. With new draft picks and a change of scenery, the existing roster finally gets a fresh start, long overdue.
The Salt Lake City area has all the elements to provide for an excellent show; from the mountains, snow, and proven NBA fanbase, it’s up to the hockey team to start and create their legacy.
The Central Division is both talent-filled and competitive, making it a prime example with some of the league’s most talented teams.
Utah can be one of the best stories in NHL history, they just need to win.
Utah
Embattled Utah Rep. Trevor Lee loses county GOP convention — but wins enough support to make primary
Earlier in the week, House Speaker Mike Schultz said lawmakers asked the attorney general to investigate allegations of fraud and bribery against Lee.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, running for reelection, addresses delegates during the Davis County Republican Party nominating convention at Syracuse High School on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Also from Utah Eats: A Utah baker ends his run on a Food Network competition; Lucky Slice’s territory grows.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Yeti, a Himalayan-themed bar in Cottonwood Heights, is pictured on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Utah
Zion National Park closes popular trail during ongoing search and rescue operation – KSLNewsRadio
FILE: An entrance to Zion National Park is pictured on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. The West Rim and Angel’s Landing Trails are temporarily closed in Zion National Park for an ongoing search and rescue operation. (Ravel Call, Deseret News)
(Ravel Call, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The West Rim and Angel’s Landing Trails are temporarily closed in Zion National Park for an ongoing search and rescue operation.
According to park officials, an incident occurred on the Angels Landing trail at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday, April 17.
At the time of publication, emergency services and search and rescue officials were on the scene.
Views along the Angel’s Landing Trail, Zion National Park. (KSL)
No further information was available.
Other reading: Supreme Court, Justice Hagen respond to state investigation into misconduct allegations
This story is developing and may be updated.
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