The Smith Entertainment Group's acquisition of the Arizona Coyotes marks a significant shift in the hockey landscape, bringing the sport to Utah for the first time. However, this move is not unprecedented for the organization, which has seen changes in ownership and location.
This franchise originated in Winnipeg in 1979 and was the original Winnipeg Jets before moving to Phoenix in 1996. Then, the club declared bankruptcy in 2012, was saved by the state, and would play under the Arizona Coyotes name until being purchased at the end of last season.
Now, in Salt Lake City, the Utah Hockey Club gets a fresh start in front of an excited fanbase that packed the Delta Center for the team's first preseason game on home ice.
With this fresh start, every Utah Hockey Club player can etch their name in the franchise's record books, but I think one player in particular will set the pace in all categories.
Clayton Keller will set the pace in Utah Hockey Club's record books
- Most Points In A Single Season
Previous Coyotes Record: Kieth Tkachuck (1996-97) - 86 Points
This one is controversial because Clayton Keller finished the 2022-23 NHL season with 86 points, which tied Tkachuck's record. So, an active Utah player is already in the record books with the Coyotes, but for the sake of this article, we'll put Tkachuck's name down because I think Keller breaks this record this year anyway.
Keller is entering his eighth season in the NHL and has the 22nd-most points in the NHL over the last two years. The Utah Hockey Club will have a dynamic powerplay led by Keller and Logan Cooley. Keller will be on the ice a ton with Mikhail Sergachev behind him on the blueline, which should get Keller far more offensive zone time than he has ever had in the past. I think this is Keller's true breakout season.
- Most Goals In A Single Season
Previous Arizona Coyotes Record: Kieth Tkachuck (1996-97) - 52 Goals
There is no controversy with this record. Tkachuck set this record the same year he set the Coyotes franchise points record. He scored 52 goals on an absurd 17.6% shooting percentage (via HockeyReference).
This record may take some time for someone to break, but multiple players on this roster could challenge this number over the next five years.
However, Clayton Keller will again lead the club in scoring in Utah's inaugural season. Keller is coming off of back-to-back 30-goal seasons. The 26-year-old has increased his shot, shot attempted, and unblocked shot attempt production in two straight years and has more talent around him than he has ever had in his career. I would not be shocked to see Keller breakout for 40 or 45 goals this season and set the pace in the Utah Hockey Club record book for most goals scored in a single season.
- Most Assists In A Single Season
Previous Arizona Coyotes Record: Ray Whitney (2011-12) - 53 Assists
This could be the most entertaining statistical record to watch in Utah's inaugural season, as it feels like Utah could have multiple guys competing for the team lead in apples. The most likely candidate would be Clayton Keller again. He finished the 2022-23 season with 49 assists and led the team in assists again in 2023-24.
With Utah's young offensive core, these kids will only get better. Keller is the primary goal scorer on this team, so I would not be shocked to see Matias Maccelli or Nick Schmaltz contend with Keller for the team lead in assists and try and get their name in the Utah Hockey Club record book.