Belle Fraser
Utah Hockey Club Beat Reporter at The Salt Lake Tribune
Covering the Utah Hockey Club for @sltrib | BU ‘24
Articles
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6 days ago |
sltrib.com | Belle Fraser
Nick Bjugstad's doorstep was filled with cookies, bread and candy when he and his family moved to Utah last summer. "My girls were loving it," the Utah Hockey Club forward and father of three said. Bjugstad's neighbors, who were the suppliers of the treats, soon put together a welcome party for the NHL veteran's arrival. He did not think more than 20 people would be in attendance. After all, the Bjugstads had been in town just a short while. "There were like 70 or 80 people," Bjugstad said.
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1 week ago |
sltrib.com | Belle Fraser
St. Louis * Utah Hockey Club's final first period of its inaugural season was somewhat fitting. Not in a positive way, though. The St. Louis Blues needed a regulation win to secure their spot in the playoffs as a wild-card team in the Western Conference. A sluggish start, including three penalties, and an eventual 6-1 loss for Utah gifted the Blues the two points on Tuesday.
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1 week ago |
sltrib.com | Belle Fraser
Nashville * Matt Villalta's grandmother will have a new memento hanging on her wall soon. It will be a plaque that holds a puck wrapped in white tape on its perimeter. That white tape will be marked with a black Sharpie to read, in short, that Utah Hockey Club beat the Nashville Predators 7-3 on April 14, 2025. Villalta has given all of his shutout pucks to his grandmother, and now, she gets one that represents his first NHL win.
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2 weeks ago |
sltrib.com | Belle Fraser
Mikhail Sergachev would rather not talk about his individual success with Utah Hockey Club this season. "I love playing hockey," the defenseman said regarding the accolades and responsibility he has had in Salt Lake City this year. "I want to improve, too. I don't want to be out there just to be out there, to eat minutes. I want to produce, I want to defend, I want to do it the right way.
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2 weeks ago |
sltrib.com | Belle Fraser
Almost a year ago, Ryan and Ashley Smith walked into a room full of their now Utah Hockey Club players and introduced themselves for the first time. Smith Entertainment Group, on April 18, 2024, had just bought the Arizona Coyotes with plans to move the team to Salt Lake City. Beyond the monetary transaction, there was a lot to be done. "It was pretty daunting a year ago," Ryan Smith said.
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#UtahHC Clayton Keller reflecting on a year in SLC: "It definitely feels like home. I love living here, I love everything about it. Fans, owner, I could go down the list. Nothing but great things to say."
#UtahHC Clayton Keller: "This is just the beginning and lots to look forward to." "First season here –– it’s NHL history. Sometimes it’s crazy to think about that. Just how quickly it happened and how good of a move it’s been. Just super thankful."
#UtahHC Karel Vejmelka on winning MVP: "It’s a great feeling, especially in the first year. But I would say it’s a team trophy and team award. I couldn’t get the trophy without the guys, without my teammates. They’re a big part of it and I really appreciate it."
