Lauri Markkanen in pre-game for newly-formed Utah Hockey Club
· EurohoopsCementing himself in Utah sports, Finnish Lauri Markkanen shows off skating talents as the Utah Hockey Club enters NHL action
By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After inking a five-year contract extension with the Utah Jazz during the offseason, Lauri Markkanen participated in the inaugural ceremonial puck drop of the Utah Hockey Club in Delta Center on Tuesday evening, strengthening his bond with Salt Lake City.
An expansion team debuting in the 2024-25 edition of the NHL, the Utah Hockey Club will share the same home with the Jazz. A win, 5-2, against the Chicago Blackhawks combined with Markkanen’s appearance to the delight of the fans.
With ice hockey the most popular sport in Finland, the Vantaa native was far from a stranger to putting on skates and navigating the rink. Looking smooth and sporting a custom Utah jersey, he made his way to the ice and delivered the puck to owner Ryan Smith for the ceremony.
A minority owner of the NBA and NHL franchises based in Salt Lake City, NBA legend Dwyane Wade was at the first game in team history as well.
Contributing to friendly wins against the Houston Rockets on Monday and the New Zealand Breakers on Friday, Markkanen put in 14.5 points per contest. The Jazz resume action in the 2024 NBA Preseason on Thursday, visiting the Dallas Mavericks and Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic in American Airlines Center.
Coming out of Arizona in 2017, he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the seventh overall pick of the NBA draft and subsequently traded to the Chicago Bulls. After four years in Windy City and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was traded to the Jazz before the 2022-23 season, during the 2022 EuroBasket and his participation with Finland.
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