SALT LAKE CITY — As Utah’s newest professional sports team, the Utah Hockey Club, dropped the puck in its inaugural season, thousands of fans got into the spirit by buying hockey merchandise — hats, jerseys, flags and more that will likely become “limited edition” after the season end when the team is expected to get a new name.

Fans and leaders are weighing in on what the new mascot should be. But, until then, hockey lovers are excited about buying what’s available now.

Alan Greenberg owns Cottonwood Hockey Shop and sells licensed sports merchandise. He also just happens to love hockey, and so do his customers. He said there’s just something about being with a team from the start.

“It’s gonna be cool, it’s gonna be that hat you pull out 20 years from now and throw it on your head,” Greenberg said. “And you wear it to a game and people are gonna be like ‘Oh, I remember that year, that was the first year.’”

David Hoffmann is a hockey fan, through and through. Since he moved to Utah nearly a decade ago, he’s wanted a home team. Now he has one. He wasted no time getting on board.

“There’s nothing like having a professional team to really get excited for,” says Hoffmann. “It’s been a long wait. I love having a home team.”

He said spared no expense in showing his new team his support and he hopes others do the same.

“We got jerseys, we got the inaugural shirt, we got hat, stickers magnets, pins,” Hoffmann said.  “I didn’t know I got a limited edition pendant.”

He’s one of thousands of people gathered for Utah Hockey Club home opener and, everywhere the eye can wander, it’s a sea of fans supporting their team.