How the new Utah Hockey Club nearly wound up in Vegas before the Golden Knights

It's hockey night in Las Vegas. The fans have packed T-Mobile Arena for another fun-filled NHL game, where families come from around the area to see their favorite team. The pre-game spectacles are in full swing with intense theatrics, leaving fans wondering who will win the battle. Suddenly, the spotlight shifts to the home team's bench and out comes... The Las Vegas Coyotes?

That nearly became a reality decades ago when the newly minted Utah Hockey Club was still in Arizona dealing with their arena issues. That was one of the numerous destinations where the Beehive State's newest hockey team nearly headed, with names like Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Quebec City also being floated.

Of course, other suitors, including Jerry Reinsdorf and Jim Balsillie, were involved in the potential buying process. But long before the Vegas Golden Knights were even a thought in the minds of Las Vegas citizens, it nearly happened thanks to a world-famous movie producer.

At least, that was the idea. After all, there's more happening behind the scenes in the sports world than one would think. But let's explore what would've been if the Coyotes moved to Las Vegas. Who was the mastermind behind the potential move? What stopped the team from becoming the first professional sports team in the city's history?

How the Utah Hockey Club nearly beat the Vegas Golden Knights as the first professional sports team in Las Vegas

Long ago, Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman wanted to bring the first professional sports team from the four major leagues to Las Vegas. First, he nearly got a lifeline when the Maloof brothers bought the Sacramento Kings. There was even an NBA All-Star Game (2007), which brought the city to the forefront of the sports world. However, the All-Star Game was a disaster and David Stern didn't like the idea of sports teams in Las Vegas. Thus, it ended with a whimper. But keep the Maloofs in mind because they're important to the story later.

There was also a stigma associated with professional teams playing in Las Vegas, particularly with gambling. What would happen if players started going to the casinos and were hitting the slots? Even worse, what if there was a betting scandal with said players? It would shake the respective league, with fan trust fleeing en masse.

That's when Jerry Bruckheimer came in. The movie producer known for movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, was interested in bringing a sports franchise to Las Vegas. The idea was he'd buy the Arizona Coyotes and relocate them to Sin City, where they'd start a new life in a desert further north. No longer would the team bleed money, for they'd become profitable without any complications.

However, one of the NHL's biggest markets would've been gone. It would lose significant interest and damage them from a marketing standpoint. It also didn't help that reputable names like Harrah's pulled out of the arena bidding in 2008. Therefore, the idea was put to rest without an ounce of consideration, paving the way for the Coyotes to eventually become the Utah Hockey Club.

How the Maloofs helped bring a team to T-Mobile Arena

The Maloof family joined Bill Foley in submitting a bid for a new NHL team in Las Vegas. The bid went up against Quebec City, who wanted to regain the Nordiques from a few decades prior. However, Las Vegas won out, becoming the league's 31st team. After that, regular hockey nights with the Vegas Golden Knights in T-Mobile Arena became a community staple.

Of course, things have changed considerably since the Golden Knights took the ice in 2017. The Maloofs have sold off a stake of their ownership to Foley, with Adrienne Maloof being a limited partner of the team. There have also been two Stanley Cup Final appearances, with the Golden Knights taking home the championship in 2023.

But all this wouldn't have happened if the Jerry Bruckheimer bid didn't fall through. Hockey fans would've seen Jack Sparrow prancing around the ice instead of Lee Orchard winning another epic battle. There would also be a chance that the Utah Hockey Club doesn't exist. Still, it's best not to think about what could've been with the Coyotes, especially since Vegas already got their hardware in recent memory. As for Utah? Eh, maybe.