🏁 Regular season officially begins

First female NHL coach, Swayman signs contract, Benner possibly out for season, Utah's first game win, and more!

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Slapshot News
October 11, 2024

In today’s edition:

  • 🏁 Regular season officially begins

  • 👩 Jessica Campbell becomes first woman NHL coach

  • 🙌 Utah wins inaugural game and makes history

  • ✍️ Swayman signs $66 M contract

  • And more!

Regular season officially begins

The 2024-2025 NHL season began Tuesday, the first steps of a nine-month thrill ride that will end with the coronation of the 2025 Stanley Cup champion.

The action started in the Pacific Northwest when the Seattle Kraken lost to the St Louis Blues at Climate Pledge Arena.

It was a historic night for Seattle assistant coach Jessica Campbell, who became become the first woman to serve in a behind-the-bench coaching capacity in NHL history.

The tripleheader wrapped up with more history when the Utah Hockey Club made its debut with a home game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Delta Center.

The excitement is rabid in Utah for the new hockey team, and Delta Center is expected to provide quite the home-ice advantage.

Jessica Campbell becomes first woman NHL coach

Jessica Campbell became the NHL’s first full-time female coach on Tuesday when she stood on the bench with the Seattle Kraken in their first preseason game of the season. 

Campbell was hired as an assistant coach by the organization in July, and from that point forward, Oct. 8 was always a date circled on the calendar for the milestone-breaking moment. 

Campbell was a renowned hockey player before joining the Kraken as an assistant coach. She starred at Cornell University, where she was a team captain and hit the 100-point mark for the University. 

She turned pro and spent time with the Calgary Inferno before playing internationally in Sweden. 

After her playing days, she was a trailblazer in the American Hockey League as the first female coach with the Kraken’s minor league team, the Coachella Valley Firebuds. She was there from 2022 to 2024 before moving to the NHL. 

❝

It fuels me every day just knowing that I’m a part of something way bigger than myself and my job and coaching

Jessica Campbell

Utah wins inaugural game and makes history

The Utah Hockey Club's inaugural season began with a resounding 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The game, a historic event for the state, was played in front of a sold-out crowd at Delta Center. The pre-game ceremony featured a special appearance by Lauri Markkanen, a star player from the Utah Jazz.

The excitement leading up to the game was palpable, both among the players and the fans. The team's players expressed their eagerness and anticipation, while the fans filled the arena with enthusiasm. The atmosphere was electric, creating a memorable experience for all involved.

Despite some tense moments throughout the game, the Utah Hockey Club ultimately secured the win. Key players like Dylan Guenther and Connor Ingram made significant contributions, helping to seal the victory. Guenther's goal in the empty net and Ingram's impressive saves were particularly noteworthy.

The inaugural game marked a significant milestone for the Utah Hockey Club and its fans. The team's successful start has generated significant excitement and optimism for the future. As the season progresses, fans can expect to see more thrilling games and memorable moments from the Utah Hockey Club.

Jeremy Swayman signs $66 Million contract

Jeremy Swayman signed an eight-year, $66 million contract with the Boston Bruins on Sunday. It has an average annual value of $8.25 million and runs through the 2031-32 season.

The 25-year-old goalie, who was a restricted free agent, was coming off a one-year, $3.475 million contract that he was awarded by an independent arbitrator Aug. 1, 2023.

Swayman was 25-10-8 with a 2.53 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and three shutouts in 44 regular-season games (43 starts) for the Bruins last season and 6-6 with a 2.15 GAA and .933 save percentage in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Watching an NHL game may be more complicated than you think

It has never been more complicated or more expensive to watch hockey than it is right now. And yet, as the puck drops on this NHL season, the broadcasting rights landscape in Canada is bracing for much more dramatic changes. 

And experts warn whatever changes come, they won't make it easier on fans trying to watch hockey.

Jenner could be out for seasonn

Boone Jenner could be out the rest of the season for the Columbus Blue Jackets after having shoulder surgery Wednesday.

The 31-year-old forward was injured during practice Oct. 4.

"These things are probably 5-6 months," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. "Every individual is different. Five months puts you right at the beginning of March. Just see how it all plays out here in the next few months.

Stats

  • Kirill Kaprizov extended his season-opening point streak to five games and tied Mikko Koivu (5 GP from 2008-09 to 2012-13) for the longest in franchise history.

  • Mason Marchment became the first player in Stars team history to record two goals in multiple season-opening contests (also 2 on Oct. 13, 2022 at NSH).

  • Dylan Guenther became the fifth player in NHL history to score multiple goals in each of a franchise’s first two games. The others: Cy Denneny (4 GP w/ SEN), Joe Malone (2 GP w/ MTL), Corb Denneny (2 GP w/ TAN) and Reg Noble (2 GP w/ TAN).

  • Matt Boldy buried the Wild’s first goal of the season. His 76 career goals are the second most among Minnesota players since his NHL debut on Jan. 6, 2022.

  • Barclay Goodrow scored his first goal for the Sharks since January 18, 2020 at Vancouver.