New York Rangers issues surprising statement on playing at the Delta Centre Arena for the first time
The New York Rangers continue their West Coast trip, as tonight they take on the Utah Hockey Club. Earlier today, NHL Insider Mollie Walker asked Braden Schneider how Utah's home ice feels.
The Delta Center is the newest arena in the NHL, as the league has welcomed the "Hockey Club" into the mix.
The Arena is a mixed-use venue, as both the Utah Jazz and Hockey Club share the space.
With it being in the Southwest United States, temperature could certainly be an issue. As bad ice could mean injuries, and widespread issues during gameplay.
But Braden Schneider approves:
#NYR Braden Schneider on his first touch of the Delta Center ice:
«It felt pretty good. I think it's a cool rink. It's a little different, it's pretty steep. It looks nice. Everything that's here with it is really nice. I think it's a positive review from me.»
Another player- Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) January 16, 2025
While he said the rink itself is cool, it is a little steep, which seems to be the only major criticism from Schneider himself.
Mark Power Senior VP Of Events at the Delta Center details the process of how the changeover works.
«We have an ice deck that covers [the ice],» explained Powell. «So, after the hockey game, we take all the dashers out, the glass, cover the ice, put the basketball floor down.»
It appears, unlike some Arenas the Delta Center preserves the ice during the season for a quick change-over.
«We're not prepared for that yet,» said Powell. He added that with the planned renovations to the Delta Center, they hope to get to that point where the conversion can be done within hours, especially when the events start coming in hard and fast like they will next week.
«Next week we have two Jazz games, two hockey games, and Sabrina Carpenter on Saturday and Ana Gabriel on Sunday,» Powell said.
The crew at the Delta Center have done their job well, but there's always the concern of temperatures getting too warm, especially in a climate like Utah.
But they seem to have it covered.
The Utah Hockey Club is 6th in the Central Division with an 18-18-7 record, and the Rangers should strive to make it 19 losses.
