The Bruins' road trip continues against Utah Hockey Club, which is using the speedskating and figure skating site for practices in its first season.
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KEARNS, Utah — It’s a practice facility like no other in the NHL.
Tucked in the middle of the Utah Olympic Oval, where speed skating and figure skating normally rule, is a sheet reserved for the hockey guys.
It’s the temporary home for Utah Hockey Club, which hopes to have a permanent practice home about 20 minutes south of Salt Lake City by the end of 2025.
“I think when I walked in the first time [after
the franchise relocated from Arizona] we didn’t have that rink, so it was for sure you’re looking at it and I didn’t know any better, so I was kind of like, ‘Oh my God, OK, there’s a lot of work to do,’ " Utah coach
Andre “The Bear” Tourigny said Friday afternoon following his team’s practice and just before the Bruins took the ice. “And when I came back in September and walk in, I say, ‘OK, that’s really good for a setup that will be there for only one year. I think that’s impressive.’ "
With a backdrop of Olympic rings and plaques noting the numerous speed skating records set at the facility, the Bruins practiced as dueling Zambonis cleaned the track that encircled them.
“I would love to do a lap, but I don’t think we’re allowed to,” said
Trent Frederic, who did a mini-
Eric Heiden impersonation for a few strides. “It’s cool. I’ve been to a similar one in Milwaukee, but this is really cool. I think there should be more like this. It’s kind of smart, I think.”
Tourigny said he will sometimes use the oval surface when nobody is training.
“We do for rehab skating and for some skill work as well,” he said. “Last year we used to have two sheets, so we try to use a little bit of the fast track and the short track to work on some skills and stuff.”
The overhaul of the facility included building a new locker room for the home team along with the requisite training and therapy rooms.
“The facility is awesome. I was surprised, I thought my voice wouldn’t carry just because there’s so much openness, but it was no problem, the players could hear me. So, practice ran smoothly, and the ice was good,” said Bruins coach
Jim Montgomery, who noted he has no speed skating experience. “I asked [
Brad Marchand] if wanted to lengthen his stride and do a couple of laps.”
About the only drawback is the makeshift visiting locker room is located in the basement, forcing the Bruins to navigate a couple flights of stairs in full gear.
“It’s a very unique facility, A bit of a weird setup to have a practice rink, but it’s always cool to see something different and have the different sports people to train and kind of interact with. It’s pretty impressive to see,” said Marchand, noting he hasn’t walked up stairs to practice since a youth hockey tournament in Prince Edward Island.
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