Update 5:30 p.m.: The Delta Center was packed as Ryan and Ashley Smith, General Manager Bill Armstrong, Head Coach André Tourigny, and each player addressed Utah Wednesday evening.

“This is going to be an incredible ride,” Ashley Smith said. “It’s only going to get bigger and better,” Ryan Smith added.

Armstrong was impressed with Utah’s reception.

“Utah, we will pay you back for all that emotion you gave us today,” he said. “We are so looking forward to this being the loudest building in the NHL.”

When asked what was going through his mind when he arrived, Tourigny replied, “a lot of emotion.”

Tourigny said he kept hearing about how much the team will fall in love with Utah. “And they were right. It’s unbelievable,” he said.

Utah’s not just getting a team, they’re getting a team that’s going to be really good really fast.

Update, 4 p.m.: The Delta Center was busy Wednesday afternoon as thousands of NHL fans gathered to celebrate Utah’s new franchise.

In a press conference, General Manager Bill Armstrong said he was “blown away” by Utah’s reception of their arrival.

Armstrong called the team “exciting” and “young,” and said while they are not perfect and not a Stanley Cup favorite, they will get there. Head Coach André Tourigny added to the conversation, saying there will be battle scars as the team grows.

“All hands are on deck,” Armstrong said. “We are excited.”

When asked about facilities, Armstrong said to be ready for the season kick-off they will “just need ice.”

“As long as we have ice we’re good,” he said. “There’s rinks here … a million different ways we could do it … as long as there is ice and a coach we’ll be okay.”

When asked about the first meeting with Ryan and Ashley Smith, left-wing player Lawson Crouse said he was impressed by the genuineness of the two. He said that as players, they are honored to be part of the process and to make history. Right-wing player Clayton Keller agreed, saying the team is “super excited” to be here in Utah.

ORIGINAL STORY: SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah’s newest professional sports team was welcomed to the Beehive State this morning to a crowd of Day 1 fans and chants of “Let’s go, Utah!”

Players, coaches and front office staff with the Arizona Coyotes landed at the Salt Lake International Airport around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24. Utahns gathered to give them a warm reception. Why?

“It’s hockey,” said one fan. “You’ve got to love it.”

The team arrived in Utah just a week after the sale of the Coyotes to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith was finalized. Smith said the former Coyotes will not only be in Utah to get a tour of the the Delta Center and their new home but to get a formal introduction to their new fanbase as well.

Players wasted no time connecting with their new fans. Immediately after stepping off their flight, the players took their time to go down the line, signing posters, jerseys and hockey sticks and taking selfies.

Fans greeting the players told ABC4 they were already picking out some of their favorites. Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller were among the most mentioned with one fan saying he’s already Keller’s biggest fan.

“One of the best U.S. players right now – big Clayton Keller guy,” he said. “He’s getting 100 points, he’s doing it all right here. I’m going to be a super fan.”

Overall the excitement in the hanger was overwhelming with plenty of belief and support for the team.

The party doesn’t stop at the international airport, however. The Smith Entertainment Group and the National Hockey League will host a free-to-the-public welcome party for the team at the Delta Center and ABC4 will be there to share the celebration.

The event kicks off with a plaza party at 4 p.m. before the celebration moves into the arena at 5:30 p.m. Delta Center promises free food, drinks and snacks as well as games, live music, giveaways and preseason ticket vouchers for the first 5,000 fans.

Can’t make it to the event? Stick with ABC4 as we livestream the entire celebration in the video player above and on-air.