Olli cow! 🐮 Määttä is staying in Utah.

Mar 06, 2025

Hey Puckers,

Welcome to Issue #2 of the SLC Puck newsletter. Lots of great stuff to talk about, which I do on my podcast if you prefer the sound of my voice.

This week’s topics:

✍️ Utah Hockey Club extends defenseman Olli Määttä to a 3-year deal.
- Good move? Watch Wednesday’s episode of SLC Puck and I’ll tell you.
- Utah also resigned Alexander Kerfoot and Ian Cole to 1-year deals, right after I finished recording the show. Geez Louise.
  - I’m scheduling this at 8:26 p.m. on Wednesday to go out Thursday morning at 9:35 a.m….Praying that Utah doesn’t make any major moves between now and then…🤞
  - UPDATE — 9:03 p.m.: Utah extends goaltender Karel Vejmelka. Right as I was getting home from the studio. Absolutely hilarious timing. Oh well, the episode’s still good, check it out. I’m done for the night. Hopefully Utah GM Bill Armstrong is too.
⛏️ Park City High School continues its dominance of Utah High School Hockey.
📰 News and rumors from around the NHL.
and more!!!

Hope you enjoy.

More Utah Hockey Coverage at KSL.com:
- Follow every move at KSL.com with coverage from Ryan Miller and SLC Puck’s Austin Facer

Record: 27-25-9, 63 points, 6th place in Central Division
Playoff picture: Utah remains on the bubble for the last wild card spot in the Western Conference.
As of 3/5 at 8:30 p.m., the playoff race looks like this:
- Wild Card Spot #2: Calgary (67 points, 61 games played)
- First team out: Vancouver (65 points, 60 games played)
- In the mix: St. Louis (64 points, 62 games played), Utah (61 points, 63 games played)
Upcoming Games:
- 🏒 Thursday, March 6: at Detroit Red Wings
- 🏒 Friday, March 7: at Chicago Blackhawks
Quick Take: General Manager Bill Armstrong has been downplaying any big moves for Utah as Friday’s trade deadline approaches. 👀
Seems like the Hockey Club might not make any major changes — buying nor selling. 📊
So let’s see how the boys do! They’ll have to play nearly perfect hockey over the remaining 21 games to make the playoffs. 💪

College & High School Hockey:
- University of Utah Hockey is headed to the ACHA National Tournament this month! However, as a club team, they’ll need some financial support. Let’s give them an assist. More info here.
- The 2024-25 Utah High School Season wrapped up by crowning its champions this week.
  - Park City clinched its second straight title with a 8-0 win over Brighton in the affiliated championship game. Check out SLC Puck’s recap here!
  - Sky Canyon took home the crown, also for the second straight year, in the independent bracket with a 6-4 victory over South County.
Youth Hockey Events:
- Hockey 101 by Utah Hockey Club: Saturday, March 8 at Vineyard Grove Park.
Utah Grizzlies:
- Hosting Military Night on March 7. Two free tickets for all military members. I’m guessing they’ll be wearing some dope military-themed jerseys too.

Don’t miss the next NashCast, Utah Hockey Club’s no-holds-barred alt cast, hosted by NHL funnyman Tyson Nash and SLC Puck’s Austin Facer!

Subscribe to SEG+/Utah HC+ today!

Top NHL Headlines:
- NHL Trade Deadline is Friday!
  - What will happen? All eyes are on Mikko Rantanen, a top ten scorer who is in the last year of his contract and will likely command a $100M contract this summer.
    - Colorado dealt him to Carolina earlier this season, but rumor has it he might get traded again if he and the Hurricanes can’t come to an agreement on a contract extension.
      - Utah has been named as a darkhorse destination for the Finnish superstar.
- Washington Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin is now just 9 goals away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record, once thought unbreakable.
  More than likely, he’ll get it by the end of the season. He’s turning this moment into something even more meaningful: to raise money for cancer research.

Call in and leave a voicemail! We might play it on the show!

Grab Some Ice at Payne Anthony Creative Jewelers or Jonathan’s Jewelry!
- Mention “SLC Puck” at Payne Anthony Creative Jewelers or Jonathan’s Jewelry for $100 off your next purchase!
- Giveaway Alert:
  - Win a $250 gift card! Scan the QR Code below to enter the Grab Some Ice Giveaway!

Interested in advertising on SLC Puck? Send an email to austin@slcpuck.com!

Video of the Week: Well, mine! Check out my pilgrimage to a sacred hockey site in Salt Lake City where I leave the Hockey Gods a sacrificial offering.
Stat of the Week: Clayton Keller ranks 11th in the NHL with 69 points. Nice.
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