Utah Hockey Club has added a new member to its roster.
Archie, a 13-week-old black Labrador retriever, is now the official team dog. The Hockey Club partnered with America’s VetDogs — a national nonprofit providing service dogs to veterans and first responders — to help co-raise Archie who is named after Arches National Park near Moab.
“Really cute dog. It’s nice to have good vibes around the arena like that,” said Nick Bjugstad who has a 9-year-old Shih Tzu Maltese named Milo.
Archie joined Utah Hockey Club for its 22 pushups Monday morning at the Olympic Oval which was done in partnership with the “22 in 22 Challenge,” an event created to raise awareness for the military suicide crisis.
Archie’s training with the team will span 14-16 months during which he will socialize with the Hockey Club’s staff, players and fans.
The public can meet Archie on Nov. 15 at the Delta Center when Utah faces the Vegas Golden Knights; there will be a meet-and-greet on the main concourse. Archie will also attend community events with the team and other select home games throughout the season.
“America’s VetDogs is proud to partner with Utah Hockey Club and America First Credit Union to co-raise Archie during the team’s inaugural NHL season,” said John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs, in a release. “Archie will become a beloved part of the club, and we are deeply grateful to both Utah Hockey Club and America First Credit Union for their unwavering support of our organization, as well as their commitment to serving our nation’s veterans and first responders.”
Archie has a lot to learn before finding his new owner. The puppy will work on basic commands and creating social skills ahead of his formal training at America’s VetDogs campus in Smithtown, New York. Archie will then be matched with a veteran, active-duty service member or first responder with disabilities.
The partnership is free of cost for Archie’s recipient. America’s VetDogs gets outside funding from individuals and different corporations.
“I think it’s great. Our team puppy is really cute,” Alex Kerfoot said. “Brings a smile to people’s faces, it’s fun.”
Kerfoot surprised his wife with their dog — a mini Australian Labradoodle named Coconut — for Christmas in 2019. The veteran forward grew up with dogs and now has one at home and at the rink.
Monday marked Archie’s first official day with the team as it returned to Utah after a four-game road trip in which it picked up three of the possible eight points. The Hockey Club has three days between its last game against the Nashville Predators and Wednesday’s matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes; a rare occurrence in a league with a jam-packed schedule.
Utah Hockey Club center Nick Bjugstad (17) smiles on the ice during warmups prior to an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)
Utah is using this time as a mental and physical reset.
“It’s good to get a few practices, clean some stuff up that we feel hasn’t been clicking for us,” Bjugstad said. “Sometimes you need a few days to kind of reset. ... Today was definitely a skills practice and a systems practice as well.”
Bjugstad skated on the first line between Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz on Monday, a combination head coach André Tourigny said he expects to stick with against the Hurricanes. Bjugstad played with Keller and Schmaltz at the end of last season and said he wants to use his “size in the corners” to create space for his linemates.
As Utah tries to figure things out on the ice and get out of its losing slump, it will have a new fan in the stands with Archie.
“I don’t think anyone in the room doesn’t like dogs,” Bjugstad said. “He’s a cute pup for sure.”
