redshirt freshman Brandon Rose has started to separate himself in the QB2 battle according to Kyle Whittingahm. (Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah football head coach Kyle Whittingham is in the crowd tonight as Utah HC prepares to take on Vancouver.
Utah Hockey Club (14-11-5, 33 pts) is hosting the Vancouver Canucks (16-9-5, 37 pts) at Delta Center on Wednesday, December 18.
Utah HC checking out Utah HC 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ajXDX8b9yf
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 19, 2024
The second-longest tenured coach at the FBS level led Utah to a disappointing 5-7 finish this season. Despite the lack of success in 2024, Whittingham recently announced he will return to Utah for his 21st season as head coach in 2025.
In the NHL, many players take the opportunity to give back to the fans during pregame warmups by tossing pucks over the boards.
Usually, young fans bring signs and wear the sweaters of their favorite players in an attempt to win one of these highly coveted pucks.
I’ve noticed Keller does this before every game. Gives out a few pucks to fans. Thats a guy that just gets it.#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/fIbFp0rh8O
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 23, 2024
Long before Keller played in the NHL, he was thrown a puck at one of his first St. Louis Blues games from franchise legend Barrett Jackman.
“I remember, one of my first Blues games that I went to, one of the players threw me a puck. It was actually Barrett Jackman, and I wore his number for the first couple of years because of that. That’s kind of a cool story that sticks with me,” Keller said.
Looking back, Keller recalls how much he looked up to every player on the Blues and now desires to leave a similar impression on young hockey fans by giving back the same way.
This season I’ve noticed that Clayton Keller gives out the most warmup pucks before every game.
Today I asked him about it: “I just want to give back and give them something to remember…I try to do as much as I can.”
More here ⬇️#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/avyNbRwyCo
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 18, 2024
“I was a kid one day, and I looked up to all the guys on the Blues. Especially in warmups, I followed everything they did. So, I just want to give back and give them something to remember. If they’re new into hockey, hopefully they’re more excited about it…I try to do as much as I can,” Keller continued.
Utah Hockey Club games can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on the KSL Sports app or 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Hockey Club insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. Listen to Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
Find KSLSports.com coverage of the Utah Hockey Club here.
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Brian Preece is a KSLsports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.
