SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Hockey Club selected Boston College standout Will Skahan with the No. 65 overall pick during the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
The 62nd NHL Draft was held at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 28-29.
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Skahan was the 13th defenseman selected in the second round.
With the 65th pick, the Utah Hockey Club selects Will Skahan 🩵 #UtahHC | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/N2hC7SYPMk
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) June 29, 2024
Skahan is a California native who has found a lot of success with the U.S. National Team.
In 2023 with the U18 squad, Skahan recorded 14 points with five goals and nine assists.
“I’m fired up,” Skahan said. “New team, fresh start. I’m looking forward to someday being a part of this stuff. I’m really competitive. I’ll do anything to win. I bring hard defense and move the puck well. The main thing is my physicality and my defense.”
.@WillSkahan says he’s a “highly competitive” player that’s looking forward to joining @utahhockeyclub. #UtahHC #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/ubL0hh1J12
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 29, 2024
Utah Hockey Club entered the draft with 13 picks, including No. 6 overall in the first round.
Rounds 2-7: Saturday, June 29 at 9:30 a.m. (MT)
It's officially @NHL Draft week! 🏒#NHLDraft #NHL #UtahHC https://t.co/1CWbFjgqfU
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 23, 2024
Rounds 2-7: NHL Network and ESPN+
In April, the NHL announced the addition of Utah as the league’s newest franchise under Ryan Smith and Smith Entertainment Group’s ownership. As part of the transaction, players and personnel from the Arizona Coyotes were transferred to Utah. The Coyotes became an inactive franchise following the move.
On June 13, the team officially closed its deal with the NHL and took on the temporary name Utah Hockey Club. The team’s permanent nickname underwent a second round of fan voting and will be announced in the future.
The club will wear sweaters with “Utah” on the front during its inaugural season in 2024-25. Utah HC has primary colors of rock black, salt white, and mountain blue.
Utah Hockey Club will open its seven-game preseason schedule against the St. Louis Blues at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Utah HC’s first preseason game at home will be against the LA Kings on September 23.
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Kyle Ireland is a Utah Hockey Club Insider for KSLSports.com. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).