It took hours for the puck to drop, but there was already a buzz in the arena Tuesday morning as the members of the Utah Hockey Club prepared for something new.

A new team.

A new city.

A new season.

A new era.

“This is probably the most excited I’ve ever been to play a hockey game. When you come to the rink today, even if it’s morning skating, you still feel like you’re getting chills,” forward Logan Cooley said. “You get a buzz through the city and it’s just so exciting. It feels like you are at the best moment of your life with these people.”

Towels and opening-game T-shirts adorned every seat in the Delta Center, waiting for the sold-out crowd to witness the first regular season game in Utah Hockey Club history.

“It’s a very special one,” said defenseman Sean Durzi.

Outside the arena, fans showed up early for a full-on celebration ahead of the evening’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Win or lose, there won’t be a somber mood Tuesday night.

Ryan Lorensen had been waiting for this moment for years. The Salt Lake man initially got involved in hockey after watching the 2017 Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, but never imagined he would have a home team to root for.

“To see that in Utah, it’s so special,” Lorensen said. “Even if Utahns aren’t ready right now, they will be ready. They’ll see what this team has to offer and what they can bring, and they’ll all be on board. I promise you that.”

For Duane Dixon, born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, this club is the third version of the team he watched as a child. The Winnipeg Jets were moved to Phoenix in 1996, where they became the Coyotes. Faced with ownership and stadium problems, the Coyotes were disbanded and the players moved to Utah in April. Dixon, meanwhile, made sure he was there for Tuesday’s opener to witness the dawn of a new era.

“When they brought the team here, I was excited to come visit Utah and finally enjoy and cheer on the team under the right ownership,” said Dixon. “It was crazy, it was crazy, it was a rollercoaster ride. Excitement at last.”

The team’s new owners, Ryan and Ashley Smith, have said they are committed to making Salt Lake a premier NHL city for fans and athletes alike. After years of uncertainty in Phoenix, this has allowed the Utah Hockey Club to have one focus this season.

“No distractions,” said captain and forward Clayton Keller. “You can say whatever you want, but sometimes (in Arizona) friends, family and people always ask you what’s going on and you don’t know. It’s nice to be free and focus on our work and what we’re here to do, which is win.”