OTTAWA, Ontario — The Ottawa Senators signed goaltender Linus Ullmark on Wednesday to a four-year contract extension worth $33 million.

The contract with the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner, which was announced by the team the day before its season opener against the Florida Panthers, has an average annual value of $8.25 million.

“We are excited to have Linus signed to a contract extension before the start of the regular season,” Steve Staios, general manager and president of hockey operations, said in a news release. “In a short window of time, Linus has been able to see the culture we’re trying to grow with our hockey club and his family has experienced the community spirit of Ottawa-Gatineau.”

Ottawa acquired the 31-year-old Ullmark last June in a trade with the Boston Bruins for Mark Kastelic, Joonas Korpisalo and a 2024 first-round draft pick that became center Dean Letourneau.

Ullmark has a 138-73-23 record over nine NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres and Boston. He has a career goals-against average of 2.51 and a .919 save percentage.

Ullmark was selected by the Sabres in the sixth round (No. 163 overall) of the 2012 draft. He spent three seasons with Modo in the Swedish Hockey League before making his NHL debut in 2015-16.

UTAH: Utah Hockey Club wasted no effort creating a playoff-like atmosphere for its inaugural regular season game on Tuesday night.

The NHL’s newest franchise, which moved from Arizona, surrounded its home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks with a fan celebration leading up to the puck drop and beyond. An outdoor concert featuring country music artist Shaboozey highlighted the pregame celebration.

The festivities culminated in an outdoor watch party for fans who did not have tickets to enter the Delta Center. Two giant screens aired the ESPN broadcast.

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen skated out the ceremonial puck and handed it to Utah Hockey Club and Jazz owner Ryan Smith. Ashley Smith dropped the puck for Utah captain Clayton Keller and Chicago captain Nick Foligno before the game.

“We’re just trying to have a fun event that everybody in the community is going to remember,” Ryan Smith said. “It’s not more complicated than that. This is a moment that speaks for itself. Everyone knows it’s coming. We get to do it once.”

The atmosphere inside and outside the arena was electric through the night, mirroring the experience already common at Utah Jazz playoff games. Utah won the game, 5-2.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Sean Cassity, a new Utah Hockey Club season-ticket holder. “So much excitement. Everyone is jacked for the Utah Hockey Club to get here.”

ESPN hosted an entire day of tripleheader hockey coverage from a set in front of the arena. The network featured on-set interviews with Smith and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and covered Utah players coming out of the tunnel for the first skate.

Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka wore a body camera during morning skate, and footage was used by ESPN during studio segments. The camera was first used during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final when Florida Panthers backup goaltender Anthony Stolarz wore one.

Fans are eagerly embracing a second major professional franchise in Utah. The lone preseason contest between Utah and the Los Angeles Kings in September drew 11,131 fans. Capacity will expand to accommodate 17,000 for hockey games once renovations are completed.

Utah has sold approximately 8,500 full-season-ticket equivalents. 34,000 people initially put down a deposit for tickets. The club is already tracking toward being among the top 20 NHL clubs for sponsorship and ticket revenue this season.

All signs point to hockey becoming the next big thing for residents of the Beehive State.

“I’ve been wanting to pick a sport that’s my sport and so when the hockey club came here, I said, ‘That’s it. This is the one. We’re gonna learn everything and we’re gonna be the biggest fans,'” Utah Hockey Club fan Makae Wright said.