Utah Mammoth's Winter Classic Debut

0:00It's April 25th. You're listening to NHL News today, AI Power coverage of your team. I'm Cory with the story. Utah Mammoth just landed their first outdoor showdown, facing off against the Colorado Avalanche in the 2027 Discover NHL Winter. Classic on December 31st, 2026. NHL Commissioner Gary Betman dropped the news during the Mammoth's playoff game at home against Vegas. Picture this, Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, holding over 54,000 fans right between the mountains and downtown on University of Utah campus. The Mammoth's rise has been wild from grabbing the Arizona Coyotes assets last April, playing as the Utah Hockey Club to rebranding and packing. Delta Center with Routing Crows this season. Now they host this New Year's EU Bash, their biggest crowd ever, celebrating how far they've come in just a couple years. Fans and execs are hyped. Betman called it a dream for the franchise, praising owners Ryan and Ashley Smith and the community's electric vibe.

1:03Colorado's Joe Sackick echoed that, stoked to rep the Rocky Mountain region in this marquee matchup. This slots in as the second of three outdoor games next season, Winnipeg Jets hosts Montreal, Canadians and the Heritage Classic on October 25th. 2026, and Dallas Stars take Vegas in the Stadium Series on February 20th, 2027. Rice Eccles even ties back to the 2002 Olympics and that miracle on Ice Legacy. After this puck drop, every one of the 32 NHL teams will have played outdoors, with the avalanche bringing their experience from three prior. Games, Utah stepping into the spotlight big time, get ready for that mountain chill on New Year's Eve.