In July, the Utah Hockey Club made their first appearance in Park City. The team then held their prospect development camp at the Park City Ice Arena and announced their re-signing of defenseman Sean Durzi at the Park City Hotel. Back then, general manager Bill Armstrong gushed about the team’s warm reception across town. He was hopeful the team would soon return, something that has now occurred only months later. The hockey club returned to town Thursday and Friday and spent time in town hiking, team building and practicing, again at the Park City Ice Arena. While both days were originally scheduled as practice days, with players staying overnight Thursday, the coaching staff, led by head coach André Tourigny, decided Thursday would be better spent exploring town and team building. Friday, the players and coaches were back on the ice and ran through various drills. Clayton Keller works the puck past a defender during a drill on Friday. Keller was named the first captain in franchise history earlier in the day. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordFriday afternoon also included a press conference at Hotel Park City to announce Clayton Keller as the team’s first-ever captain. Keller led the team last season in goals, assists and points in their last season in Arizona. “I’ve been here twice now, and this is probably my favorite time,” said Durzi on Park City. “I’ve got all the guys with me, and it’s fun to explore. … We’re hanging out around Deer Valley a little bit.”Durzi said it’s been nice to enjoy the chilly, fall morning weather and to see all the turning leaves across town. This is the team’s last chance to relax before they kick off the inaugural season Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks game will begin at 8 p.m. at the Delta Center, and ESPN will broadcast it. Utah wraps up their preseason Saturday, taking on the Colorado Avalanche at 5 p.m., at home. The team is 4-2 in preseason games, dating back to Sept. 22, when they took to their home ice for the first time. Durzi doubled down on Armstrong’s impression of the team’s Park City reception, saying it’s been nothing but positive. “The reception has been incredible — the warm welcomes, the conversations — you know, everybody’s so excited,” said Durzi. “Whether they know a lot about hockey or they don’t know a lot, everybody’s open to learning. … You really just tell them, ‘You’ve got to come to a game, and you’ll see the excitement for yourself.’”Michael Kesselring raises his arms in celebration during the practice on Friday in Park City. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordThe warm reception extends to everywhere the team has been in Utah, he said. Durzi and Utah will embrace the raucous, welcoming atmosphere Tuesday night, while also remaining focused on winning. They know they cannot expand too much energy in game one of 82 and, hopefully, more. Discussing Keller’s honor, both Durzi and forward Lawson Crouse offered thorough support. “Obviously, it’s very exciting,” said Crouse. “ Very proud of Kels. It’s a huge honor. Kels is a great competitor, a great leader for a team. I believe he can take us where we need to be. More importantly, he is great person and has a lot of respect in our locker room.”The Utah Hockey Team meets in a huddle during practice on Friday in park City. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordKeller was an alternate captain for Arizona the last two seasons. The team found out the news yesterday. “There’s no better guy to take on the lead and the role,” added Durzi. “That even-keel, and to be able to block out all the noise and be able to focus … shows up great on the ice and expects nothing less from everybody else.”Durzi believes Keller is one great part of a team full of strong leaders, which will continue this season. Final steps before Tuesday include fine tuning specialties in practice, giving Colorado their most fine-tuned effort Saturday and resting up before the season-opener.Kevin Stenlund moves the puck along the glass against defenders during practice on Friday. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordThe post Utah Hockey Club returns to Park City appeared first on Park Record.