Winds of Change in Utah

Winds of change were blowing all around the Delta Center over the weekend. Following an extended period of being under league management, the Utah Hockey Club has finally found what ownership hopes will be a long-term management group to help guide the organization onto better days. On Saturday, April 26th, Utah ownership officially named Steven Beaupre (GM) and Sly Beaupre (AGM) as the first Son-Father management team in hockey history. It has been a historically poor season thus far in Utah and the organization is hopeful that these hires are the first step to turning the tide for the franchise.

At the official introductory press conference on Sunday, GM Steven Beaupre was asked what attracted the group to Utah. “We’re incredibly excited to be here… We’re well aware of the success that the organization has had in the past, winning the Stanley Cup in 2022 as the Arizona Coyotes, and we have every intention of building this program up in order to provide the fans here in Utah with that same experience.” Reporters didn’t hold back by bringing up what can only be described as a disasterclass of a season the franchise is currently experiencing and the lack of talent on the NHL roster.  Speaking directly to the fan base, AGM Sly Beaupre said: “Believe me… we know exactly what we're getting ourselves into. I think everyone knows the state that the franchise is in, and we’re asking our fans to have some patience and faith in us that we’re going to put together a plan that will bring us consistent success when we get there.” GM Steven Beaupre chimed in: “The evaluation process has already started, and we’ve already identified some key assets both on the team and in the system that we feel can be part of the solution moving forward. We want to be transparent with our fans that yes, this is a rebuild, but we will create a team identity here in Utah that players want to be a part of and that fans can be proud of every step of the way.”

The Beaupre Management Group joins the EHE with years of experience in both Fantasy Hockey Simulation and the STHS system. Both individuals have managed their own respective franchises in the now defunct eNHL, and have worked through each phase of the team building process from rebuilding to a Stanley Cup Final appearance. They hope that by now teaming up, they can turn the recently relocated franchise around and build a team that will one day compete with the very best in the EHE. Ownership has put their faith in them… only time will tell if this is the start of a special era of Utah hockey or just another empty promise to fans.