Frozen Fury - Los Angeles Kings vs Vegas Golden Knights Tickets

It started on an 85-degree night in the parking lot of the Caesars in Las Vegas in 1991.

Now, 33 years later, it's become a staple of the NHL's pre-season schedule, and there are now two NHL franchises established in the cities where Frozen Fury made its name.

It's long been seen as a curtain raiser for the league; an annual end of camp showcase that occurs one week before the regular season begins.

And now it might be no more.

Or is it?

Utah HC released their pre-season schedule Thursday, including a date with the St. Louis Blues to open the slate in Des Moines, Iowa.

Wait -- Des Moines, Iowa?

Why not at Scottrade Center (I know, it's Enterprise Center, but it's still Scottrade Center to me)?

Or why is it not at Delta Center? The game is officially listed as a home game, but at a neutral venue, which is quite frequent for many NHL and NBA pre-season matches.

Perhaps this is Utah's way of trying to keep Frozen Fury alive.

While it may not be an official Frozen Fury game in the series (maybe the pre-season finale at Maverik Center might count), it seems Utah is trying to test the waters and see who can latch on.

It may also be a ploy to expand their fanbase beyond the Beehive State, something the Coyotes had massive trouble with throughout their tenure.

Like I said earlier, it takes time to build a fanbase, and it takes longer to build trust with the ownership group.

And keeping a staple of the NHL's pre-season schedule alive while trying to expand your fanbase is a perfect way to do so.

Host or Publisher Gordon Adkins