- On Friday, the Utah Blizzard recalled G Murray McCord from their CHL affiliate in Colorado Springs and reassigned G Corey Franklin-Lee to Colorado Springs. The Blizzard sent McCord down to the minors at the All-Star break after he put up underwhelming numbers in the first half. He seemed revived by his trip to the minors, going 9-6-0 with a 1.99 GA and a .918 save percentage.
Category: Utah Blizzard
Blizzard Face Unexpected Relocation After Coyotes Sale
This week, the NHL Board of Governors voted unanimously to sell and relocate the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City effective next season. The move, which had been heavily rumored in recent weeks, will have a number of ramifications across the sport. One of those ramifications is that the SHL’s Utah Blizzard will also need to find a new home next season.
“Obviously, this is a tremendous disappointment for us,” said Blizzard owner Hirum Matthews. “We felt like we were just starting to build a fan base here, and now that’s all out the window.”
The Coyotes’ struggles have been well known for years; the franchise has cycled through owners and even filed for bankruptcy on one occasion, never managing to find a long-term home. Their situation became especially acute after they were evicted from their arena in Glendale, and were forced to spend multiple seasons at Mullett Arena, the home of Arizona State’s hockey team with fewer than 5,000 seats. When it became clear that the Coyotes still did not have a firm plan for a new home, the NHL decided that the team needed to relocate. They agreed to sell the team to Ryan Smith, owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz.
For the Blizzard, this late-breaking news overturns the work Matthews and his front office have done to build their franchise. The team is in its third SHL season. Although the team has finished in the basement the last two seasons and currently sits in sixth place, they have built up a solid fan base. This season, the Blizzard are fifth in the league in average attendance, selling out Wasatch Arena on a regular basis.
“I’m sad to think that we won’t get to stay here,” said D Brooks Zabielski. “We’ve got great fans here, and it’s a pretty cool city. I’ll miss playing here.”
The Blizzard’s impending relocation is complicated by the fact that the SHL voted at midseason to expand to Chicago and Cleveland next year, taking away two potential relocation options. As it became clear within the last week that the Coyotes were certain to relocate, a rumor arose that the SHL might move the Blizzard to Chicago and delay Cleveland’s entry into the league until 2026, finding another Western city to pair it with. But SHL Commissioner Frank Driscoll shot down that speculation this week, saying next year’s expansion was a go.
“We’ve already made a commitment to those cities and those ownership groups that they will have SHL hockey in 2025,” said Commissioner Driscoll. “We are not about to go back on that commitment.”
The most likely markets for relocation would seem to be the other Western cities that applied for an expansion team this round, which included Austin, Albquerque, Boise, Indianapolis, Omaha, and Tucson. Of those cities, three – Boise, Indianapolis, and Omaha – are the homes of existing SHL minor-league teams, and might be better positioned to transition quickly to hosting SHL hockey.
One other possibility would be for the Blizzard to spend an interim season in Colorado Springs, home of their current minor-league affiliate, while they look for a long-term home. Commissioner Driscoll said that the league would be open to the possibility. “Ultimately, we want a decision that’s best for the Blizzard and best for the league,” said the commissioner. “We don’t want them to rush and move to the wrong city just to have a place to play. We’re open to being flexible, whatever works best.”
One thing for certain: wherever the Blizzard move, Matthews won’t be owning them. “I’m a Utah man, and I always will be,” Matthews said. “I’m not interested in owning a team somewhere else.” (He was not invited to bid on the Coyotes, as the NHL negotiated directly with Smith for expediency.)
“It’s not how we would have wanted things to shake out, certainly,” said Commissioner Driscoll. “But in a way, it’s a testament that we’ve done here to make Salt Lake a great market for hockey. It’s just that the NHL will benefit from our work.”
2024 SHL Week 14 Transactions
- On Wednesday, the Washington Galaxy activated D Geoff Moultrie from the injured list. Moultrie has been sidelined since before the All-Star break while recuperating from surgery. To make room for Moultrie’s return, the Galaxy returned D Mikl Hedlund to their CHL affiliate in Virginia. Hedlund appeared in 18 games for Washington, recording 7 assists and 34 blocks. In a related move, Virginia released D Julian Staples, who appeared in 10 games and recorded 1 assist and 15 blocks.
- Also on Wednesday, the Portland Bluebacks activated C Norris Fletcher from the injured list. Fletcher missed the last 11 games with an upper-body injury. To accommodate Fletcher’s return to action, the Bluebacks reassigned C Danny Cardwell to their farm team in Spokane. In 11 games with Portland, Cardwell recorded 2 assists.
- On Friday, the Utah Blizzard placed C Desmond McGarrity on the injured list. McGarrity suffered a lower-body injury while blocking a shot during Thursday’s game against Hershey, and is expected to miss 2 to 3 weeks. To take McGarrity’s place, the Blizzard called up C Viktor Marionov from their CHL affiliate in Colorado Springs. Marionov makes his SHL debut with the call-up.
Interview of the Week: Brock Manning
This week’s interview is with Utah Blizzard C Brock Manning.
SHL Digest: Today, we’re talking to a longtime New York star who’s now enjoying a second act out west. Brock, thank you for taking the time to chat with us.
Brock Manning: Thanks for having me.
SHLD: Let’s start with your transition from the New York Night to the Blizzard. What has it been like adjusting to life in Salt Lake City after spending nearly a decade in the hustle and bustle of NYC?
BM: Well, it’s definitely been a change of pace, that’s for sure. Salt Lake City is a world away from New York City. I miss the vibrant energy of NYC, the amazing restaurants, and the endless nightlife.
SHLD: There’s only one Big Apple, definitely.
BM: But Utah has its own charm, especially with the breathtaking mountains and the opportunity for outdoor activities like skiing. It’s a different lifestyle, but I’m finding ways to appreciate it.
SHLD: Are you a fan of skiing?
BM: I’ve always enjoyed it. My family visited Whistler in the winters growing up, and I’ve been skiing practically as long as I could walk.
SHLD: Do you like the really challenging courses, the double black diamonds and all that?
BM: I used to! I still would, but I’ve got to think about my career. If I blew out my knee on the slopes, I’d really feel like an idiot.
SHLD: How would you say being on the Blizzard differs from your time with the Night?
BM: One of the biggest differences is the team dynamic. The Night had a more veteran roster with established players, while the Blizzard has a younger, more up-and-coming group. I’ve enjoyed working with the younger players and helping them develop their skills.
SHLD: Yes, we’ve heard that you’ve been working with the young centers in particular.
BM: Absolutely! Wayne Chambers, Desmond McGarrity… those guys are going to be really special. They’ve got tremendous talents, and if I’m able to teach them some of my moves and share a few tips from my own experience and help them become the best versions of themselves… it’s an honor, really.
SHLD: Would you say that the young bucks are rubbing off on you as well? Because at age 33, you’re having one of the better seasons you’ve had in years.
BM: No question about it! I honestly feel five years younger since I arrived here. Training around young legs, all that energy, pushes me to stay in top shape and keeps my energy up. There’s also a different vibe in the locker room—a bit more relaxed and less ego-driven, which I find refreshing.
SHLD: Speaking of the Blizzard, the team has been playing better in recent weeks. What do you believe has driven the improvement?
BM: I think it’s a combination of factors. We’ve been working hard in practice, focusing on our strengths and addressing areas for improvement. The coaching staff, from Coach [Flim] Dahlgren on down, has done a great job of rallying the team and instilling confidence. Plus, we’ve had some key players step up and deliver when it counts. I’d include myself in that, obviously, but also Boney [RW Boniface Carpentier], Des, Coldy [D Brian Coldivar], Lightning [D Chris Oflyng]. It’s been a real team effort.
SHLD: Do you believe Utah has a chance to make the playoffs?
BM: It’s definitely within reach if we continue to play at this level. The West is a battlefield, for sure, but we’ve got the talent and the desire to compete. We’re taking it one game at a time, but I believe we have the talent and determination to make a push for the postseason.
SHLD: So if you could tell [GM] Clint Hoxie what to do at the deadline, you’d say the Blizzard should be buyers?
BM: Always! You know us players; if we’ve got a shot to compete, even a slim one, we’re going for it. I think a good playoff run would be a great experience for this roster, even if we come up short in the end. So I wouldn’t say to go for one of those crazy all-in deals like New York used to do, but if there’s a smart deal where we can add some experience, I’d pull the trigger.
SHLD: Thank you for sharing your insights, Brock, and best of luck to you and the Blizzard for the rest of the season.
BM: My pleasure. Thanks again for having me. Hope to catch you again in the playoffs!
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