Apr 16, 2025 , 10:55 AM | Updated: 11:01 am
Children play stick hockey in front of the Delta Center before the yet to be named NHL Utah team is introduced to fans by owners Ryan and Ashley Smith on April 24, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The NHL has allowed the sale of the Arizona Coyotes and the team will relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
COLE BAGLEY
SALT LAKE CITY – Following the conclusion of the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season, the club announced a new growth and renovation grant program to help continue the development of the game and nearby facilities throughout the state.
#UtahHC has announced their Growth and Renovation Grant program, dedicated to helping grow ice hockey in Utah.
Grant funding is provided through the NHL’s Industry Growth Fund.
This will include building, repairing, or enhancing ice rinks, adding training and development…
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 16, 2025
Provided by the National Hockey League’s Industry Growth Fund (IGF), this new grant will provide financial aid opportunities to develop community, recreation and youth ice hockey programs.
In order to be considered, applicants must demonstrate strategic plans to expand hockey by building, repairing, or enhancing ice rinks, adding training and development programs for coaches or teams, and providing more access to the game.
“Growing the game of hockey in Utah is a top priority, and this grant is a direct investment in the people and places that will help make that possible,” Chris Armstrong, president of Utah hockey operations said.
“Whether it’s improving the facilities experience, supporting coaches or officials, or welcoming the next generation of players to the ice, we’re excited to see how these projects will come to life in communities across the state.”
In addition to a financial backing of $150,000 from the IGF, selected recipients will receive in-facility branding, as well as an opportunity to integrate Utah Hockey Club patches or stickers onto team uniforms.
Grant recipients will also be honored during a 2025-26 season home game with an intermission skate and featured placement on Utah Hockey Club’s youth hockey website.
In order to be eligible for the grant, applicants must agree to share data collected through the funded efforts with the Utah Hockey Club and submit a season-end report detailing the impact and outcomes of the grant.
Applications are due by May 31 and decisions will be communicated by June 13, with the funds distributed soon after.
Leaders and organizations who are selected will also have an opportunity to join a committee led by Utah Hockey Club that will help foster continued growth and development of hockey in the state.
For more information or to apply, the application can be found here.
After being asked about potential plans to build more ice rinks in the state, Utah Hockey Club owner Ryan Smith followed up with plans about the project in late March.
He announced that Smith Entertainment Group plans to donate up to $500 thousand per rink for up to 20 new locations.
“Following up … SEG is all in on growing hockey in Utah and doing it fast,” Smith wrote. “To get started, SEG will donate up to $500K per rink on up to 20 new rinks. We’ll have out-of-the-box plans for cities that can partner with entrepreneurs to build. Utah is the land of entrepreneurs. And we’ll help line up anything else to make this happen. More details after the season!”
The topic was sparked by a social media post from a Utah Hockey Club fan on March 20.
They explained that ice time in Davis/Weber county is sparse, and his son was left disappointed after not being able to skate.
Smith responded directly to the post and used Jr. Jazz as the template for what they want youth hockey in the state to look like.
“This is going to be a summer project. We believe that every municipality in Utah should have an Ice Rink,” Smith wrote. “Utah has the youngest demographics in the USA & is the fastest growing state. With basketball, we have 70,000 kids playing Jr. Jazz and more basketball courts per capita than anywhere else. (It) should be the same for hockey. More to come…”
Less than two weeks later, Smith followed up with more information. In his most recent post, he said that more details on the construction and location of the ice rinks will come after the conclusion of the NHL season.
Following the conclusion of the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season, the next notable event will be the NHL Draft on June 27 and 28.
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