Mikhail Sergachev shocked by trade to Utah Hockey Club: opens up publicly

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Tom Banks
July 7, 2024 (12:45)

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The Utah Hockey Club made a major splash at the 2024 NHL Draft, and now Mikhail Sergachev has publicly reacted to the blockbuster for the first time.

Heading into the 2024 NHL Draft, we knew that there would be blockbusters, but no one could have quite predicted a deal to send Tampa Bay Lightning star Mikhail Sergachev to the newly formed Utah Hockey Club. Now, a week on, the veteran defenseman, who has been a part of two Stanley Cup's with the Tampa Bay Lightning has publicly reacted, revealing his shock at the trade.

"At first, I was in shock. I didn't expect it"

That shock quickly turned to excitement however, as star Utah HC forward Clayton Keller reportedly told Sergachev about the setup in Salt Lake City which has reportedly got him excited.

"Talking to my agent, talking to some players, and talking to (Utah forward Clayton) Keller, everybody said great things about Utah and the new franchise," he said. "It's pretty amazing, honestly. The whole setup, the city. I'm very excited. It's a big opportunity for me to prove myself, being a leader. I'm looking forward to it."

The 26-year old is coming into his prime on the back of plenty of Stanley Cup Playoff experience, and with the young core of Keller, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, Josh Doan and others, it's safe to say that the expectations are high in Utah this season. Sergachev will be a big part of that, as he'll play his role as their No. 1 defenseman alongside the likes of Sean Durzi and John Marino.

While it wasn't a move that anyone in Tampa Bay or the NHL expected, it definitely makes sense for both parties, and now, Sergachev has the chance to make history with the NHL's newest team.