NHL Expansion and Growth
In the 1992-93 NHL season, the league featured just 24 teams. However, that changed dramatically when Gary Bettman stepped into the role of commissioner in early 1993 with a clear ambition: to expand hockey into markets that had not traditionally embraced the sport. While initially met with skepticism due to challenges like poor attendance and mismanagement, Bettman’s vision has ultimately borne fruit. Today, the NHL has 32 teams, including 10 situated in non-traditional markets, and a remarkable turnaround has seen five of the last six teams to lift the Stanley Cup emerge from these regions.
Establishment of the Vegas Golden Knights
A standout achievement of Bettman’s tenure is the establishment of the Vegas Golden Knights. After years of pushing for a franchise in Las Vegas, Bettman’s dream materialized in 2016, and the team quickly made a significant impact by reaching the playoffs in their inaugural season and capturing the Stanley Cup by their sixth year.
Emergence of the Utah Mammoth
Fast-forward to 2026, and the Golden Knights are no longer sole newcomers to the league. The Arizona Coyotes made headlines in 2024 by relocating to Salt Lake City, giving rise to the Utah Mammoth, who recently experienced their first postseason appearance, drawing the Golden Knights in a six-game series. Though the Golden Knights ultimately triumphed, the Mammoth left a lasting impression with their competitiveness and spirited fanbase.
Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin reflected on the electrifying atmosphere in Utah, describing the local crowd as “rowdy” and suggesting that such enthusiasm is beneficial for the league’s growth, hinting at Utah’s promising future in professional hockey.
Forward Brett Howden echoed those sentiments, emphasizing how the engaged fanbase created a lively environment: “It was lively playing in Utah. The crowd is really into it, and it feels great to have that energy on your side,” Howden noted, reminiscing about the experience as reminiscent of their games in Winnipeg, where similar passionate fan engagement is seen.
During the series, rally towels were distributed to Mammoth supporters, creating a vibrant scene reminiscent of the famous ‘White Out’ in Winnipeg. Following their playoff exit, several Golden Knights players shared how they appreciated being part of the Mammoth’s inaugural playoff journey and noted parallels to the early days of the Golden Knights in Las Vegas.
Hanifin recalled the pride of Vegas fans when they first entered the league, and Howden remarked on the excitement he felt playing in Salt Lake City, both as an opponent and now as a visitor, describing it as an experience that fully engaged the teams.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Golden Knights face another historic NHL franchise in the next playoff round – the Anaheim Ducks, who are returning to the postseason for the first time since 2017. The Ducks, who joined the league in 1993, represent a pioneering market that has, despite its warm climate, maintained a dedicated hockey fanbase. Howden acknowledged the vibrant atmosphere and crowd engagement seen at Ducks games, reinforcing the growth and success of hockey in non-traditional regions.
