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Frozen Fury
Frozen Fury
Frozen Fury
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Frozen Fury was an annual pre-season ice hockey game hosted by the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL), held in Salt Lake City since 2021. A previous incarnation of the series was held between the Kings and the Colorado Avalanche in Las Vegas from 1997 to 2016. On four occasions, the Kings faced different teams instead of the Avalanche; once each against the Arizona Coyotes, the San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers, and the Dallas Stars.[1][2][3] The 15th Frozen Fury was originally supposed to take place on September 29, 2012, but was cancelled due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout.[4] It resumed September 27–28, 2013, with the New York Rangers making their debut in the series.

The first game to be played in Las Vegas was also the first outdoor game in the league's history: 14,000 fans came to a rink set up outside Caesars Palace to see the Kings defeat the New York Rangers 5–2 on September 28, 1991. The air temperature was 85 °F (29 °C) during the game. The game served as a predecessor to both the Frozen Fury series (which was played indoors) and the NHL Winter Classic, the annual regular season game held on New Year's Day that began in 2008.

From 1997 to 2015, these games were played at MGM Grand Garden Arena; in 2016, they were played at T-Mobile Arena.[5] The 2016 games were the end of the original tradition, due to the launch of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017–18 season.[6]

In 2021, a new Frozen Fury series was launched at the then-Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City between the Kings and the Vegas Golden Knights;[7] the Sharks then rejoined the series in 2023.[8] This series was concluded following the 2023–24 season, with Salt Lake City receiving the expansion Utah Mammoth.[9]

The games

[edit]

Frozen Fury I (1997)

[edit]
September 20 Los Angeles Kings 4–3 OT Colorado Avalanche Recap
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st COL Josef Marha Brent Severyn, Eric Messier 13:13 1–0 COL
2nd LAK Roman Vopat (PP) Brad Smyth, Rob Blake 2:06 1–1
COL Eric Messier Jari Kurri, Joe Sakic 14:51 2–1 COL
3rd LAK Olli Jokinen (PP) Luc Robitaille, Ray Ferraro 4:12 2–2
LAK Craig Johnson Rob Blake 12:27 3–2 LAK
COL Joe Sakic Peter Forsberg, Claude Lemieux 19:20 3–3
OT LAK Donald MacLean Doug Zmolek, Jan Vopat 2:51 4–3 LAK

Frozen Fury II (1998)

[edit]
September 19 Los Angeles Kings 3–2 Colorado Avalanche Recap
September 20 Colorado Avalanche 5–4 Los Angeles Kings Recap

Frozen Fury III (1999)

[edit]
September 11 Los Angeles Kings 4–0 Phoenix Coyotes Recap

Frozen Fury IV (2000)

[edit]
September 30 Colorado Avalanche 5–4 Los Angeles Kings Recap

Frozen Fury V (2001)

[edit]
September 22 Los Angeles Kings 4–3 San Jose Sharks Recap

Frozen Fury VI (2002)

[edit]
October 5 Los Angeles Kings 6–5 Colorado Avalanche Recap

Frozen Fury VII (2003)

[edit]
September 23 Los Angeles Kings 3–1 Colorado Avalanche Recap

Frozen Fury VIII (2005)

[edit]
September 24 Colorado Avalanche 2–1 OT Los Angeles Kings Recap

Frozen Fury IX (2006)

[edit]
September 23 Los Angeles Kings 3–2 Colorado Avalanche Recap

Frozen Fury X (2007)

[edit]
September 22 Los Angeles Kings 3–2 SO Colorado Avalanche Recap

Frozen Fury XI (2008)

[edit]
September 27 Colorado Avalanche 4–3 SO Los Angeles Kings Recap

Frozen Fury XII (2009)

[edit]
September 26 Los Angeles Kings 5–3 Colorado Avalanche Recap

Frozen Fury XIII (2010)

[edit]
October 2 Los Angeles Kings 3–2 Colorado Avalanche Recap

Frozen Fury XIV (2011)

[edit]
October 1 Colorado Avalanche 4–1 Los Angeles Kings Recap

Frozen Fury XV (2013)

[edit]
September 27 Los Angeles Kings 4–1 New York Rangers Recap
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st LAK Anze Kopitar Drew Doughty, Justin Williams 0:15 1–0 LAK
LAK Jeff Carter (PP) Mike Richards, Matt Frattin 11:39 2–0 LAK
NYR J. T. Miller Anton Stralman, Oscar Lindberg 14:06 2–1 LAK
LAK Mike Richards (PP) Unassisted 17:27 3–1 LAK
2nd LAK Trevor Lewis Jarret Stoll, Robyn Regehr 16:15 4–1 LAK
3rd No scoring this period


September 28 Colorado Avalanche 3–2 Los Angeles Kings Recap
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st LAK Mike Richards (PP) Unassisted 16:38 1–0 LAK
2nd LAK Mike Richards (2) (PP) Matt Frattin, Jarret Stoll 0:14 2–0 LAK
COL Ryan O'Reilly Steve Downie, Matt Duchene 8:11 2–1 LAK
COL Gabriel Landeskog Alex Tanguay, Andre Benoit 12:58 2–2
COL Gabriel Landeskog (2) (PP) Andre Benoit, Paul Stastny 16:06 3–2 COL
3rd No scoring this period

Frozen Fury XVI (2014)

[edit]
October 4 Colorado Avalanche 3–2 SO Los Angeles Kings Recap

Frozen Fury XVII (2015)

[edit]
October 3[10] Los Angeles Kings 4–0 Colorado Avalanche Recap  
None Scoring stats Dustin Brown, Kyle Clifford
Trevor Lewis
Marian Gaborik
Reto Berra (28 saves) Goalie stats Jonathan Quick (14 saves)

Frozen Fury XVIII (2016)

[edit]
October 7[11] Dallas Stars 6–3 Los Angeles Kings Recap


October 8[12] Colorado Avalanche 2–1 OT Los Angeles Kings Recap

Frozen Fury SLC I (2021)

[edit]
September 30[13] Vegas Golden Knights 1–3 Los Angeles Kings Recap
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st LAK Brendan Lemieux Austin Strand 1:45 1–0 LAK
2nd LAK Lias Andersson Gabriel Vilardi, Vladimir Tkachev 1:48 2–0 LAK
3rd VGK Daniil Miromanov Nicolas Roy 4:30 2–1 LAK
LAK Arthur Kaliyev (PP) Quinton Byfield, Vladimir Tkachev 9:35 3–1 LAK

Frozen Fury SLC II (2022)

[edit]
October 6[14] Vegas Golden Knights 6–4 Los Angeles Kings Recap
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st LAK Kevin Fiala Adrian Kempe, Sean Durzi 1:52 1–0 LAK
LAK Gabriel Vilardi Trevor Moore, Brandt Clarke 6:09 2–0 LAK
VGK Reilly Smith Brayden McNabb, Jack Eichel 16:36 2–1 LAK
2nd VGK Brayden McNabb Jack Eichel 5:14 2–2
VGK Chandler Stephenson Mark Stone, Reilly Smith 11:15 3–2 VGK
VGK Jonathan Marchessault Shea Theodore 17:43 4–2 VGK
3rd LAK Trevor Moore (PP) Arthur Kaliyev, Sean Durzi 2:21 4–3 VGK
VGK Reilly Smith (2) (PP) Mark Stone, Chandler Stephenson 8:37 5–3 VGK
LAK Sean Durzi (PP) Arthur Kaliyev, Phillip Danault 15:51 5–4 VGK
VGK Alex Pietrangelo (EN) Unassisted 18:52 6–4 VGK

Frozen Fury SLC III (2023)

[edit]
October 5[8] San Jose Sharks 3–4 OT Los Angeles Kings Recap
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st LAK Pierre-Luc Dubois Kevin Fiala, Vladislav Gavrikov 8:27 1–0 LAK
SJS Alexander Barabanov (PP) Mikael Granlund, Anthony Duclair 8:27 1–1
2nd LAK Anze Kopitar Drew Doughty 8:16 2–1 LAK
SJS Mike Hoffman Tomas Hertl, Mackenzie Blackwood 14:45 2–2
3rd LAK Trevor Moore Viktor Arvidsson, Phillip Danault 3:28 3–2 LAK
SJS Thomas Bordeleau William Eklund 14:15 3–3
OT LAK Adrian Kempe Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty 0:17 4–3 LAK

Frozen Fury SLC IV (2024)

[edit]

Intended to be the third meeting between Los Angeles and Vegas, the game was originally scheduled for September 23, 2024. However, it was officially cancelled on June 20, 2024, due to the Salt Lake City-based Utah Mammoth entering the NHL.[9] The game was replaced by a matchup between the Kings and the Utah Mammoth (at the time the Utah Hockey Club) on the same date, without the Frozen Fury branding.[9]

Records

[edit]
Team Games Wins Losses Win %
Los Angeles Kings 24 14 10 .583
Colorado Avalanche 16 7 9 .438
Vegas Golden Knights 2 1 1 .500
San Jose Sharks 0 2 .000
Dallas Stars 1 1 0 1.000
Arizona Coyotes 0 1 .000
New York Rangers

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Frozen Fury

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Frozen Fury is a preseason ice hockey series hosted by the of the National Hockey League (NHL), featuring annual games that originated in , , from 1997 to 2016 and were revived in , , from 2021 to 2023. The series was created to promote hockey in non-NHL markets, initially pitting the Kings against rivals like the in high-profile matchups at the , drawing large crowds and fostering fan engagement in a city without a professional team at the time. Over its nearly two-decade run in , Frozen Fury encompassed 21 games across 18 seasons, often serving as the Kings' home opener for preseason play and occasionally including doubleheaders or special events. The event's discontinuation in 2017 coincided with the NHL's expansion to via the , which altered territorial dynamics and ended the Kings' exclusive promotional rights in the region. After a five-year hiatus, Frozen Fury was resurrected in 2021 through a multi-year agreement with the Utah Jazz's arena (now ), shifting focus to as a potential NHL expansion market; the revival games featured opponents such as the in 2021 and 2024 (though the latter was ultimately canceled), the in 2023, and the in 2022. These Utah-hosted editions averaged strong attendance, exceeding 10,000 fans per game, and highlighted the region's growing hockey interest amid ongoing NHL expansion discussions. The 2024 edition, scheduled for September 23 against the Golden Knights, was canceled following the NHL's relocation of the franchise to as the Utah Hockey Club, reprioritizing local preseason logistics for the new team. As of late 2025, no announcements have confirmed a return for the 2025–26 preseason, though the Kings continue neutral-site exhibitions elsewhere, such as in , signaling potential evolution rather than outright termination of the Frozen Fury concept. Throughout its history, the series has been notable for its role in NHL marketing, celebrity appearances, and community outreach, solidifying the Kings' brand in western U.S. markets.

Overview

Origins and concept

The origins of Frozen Fury trace back to the inaugural outdoor National Hockey League (NHL) preseason game, held on September 27, 1991, in the parking lot of in , , featuring the against the . The Kings secured a 5–2 victory before an attendance of 13,007 spectators, despite sweltering temperatures of 95°F (35°C), marking the league's first experiment with outdoor . This introduced NHL action to , a non-traditional market, and highlighted the potential for high-profile events in the city's entertainment landscape. Building on the momentum from this pioneering outdoor matchup, the organization launched Frozen Fury in 1997 as an annual indoor preseason series at the in . The debut event occurred on September 20, 1997, with the Kings facing the in a contest designed to establish a recurring . Primarily hosted by the Kings against the Avalanche, the series evolved from the 1991 game's success, transforming a one-off spectacle into a structured preseason fixture. The core concept of Frozen Fury emphasized a high-energy, fan-oriented to ignite enthusiasm for the NHL season, leveraging Las Vegas's renowned entertainment venue to draw crowds in a hockey-less city. Organized by the Kings, it frequently incorporated doubleheaders and supplementary attractions to amplify its appeal as a festive kickoff to hockey. Over time, the event shifted venues to in 2016 before relocating to in 2021.

Significance and format

Frozen Fury operates as an annual NHL preseason exhibition event hosted by the , typically structured as a single game or occasional doubleheader against another NHL team, adhering to standard league rules for exhibition play including three 20-minute periods, potential 3-on-3 overtime, and shootouts if necessary, with no bearing on regular-season standings or . These games are scheduled in late or early to coincide with the onset of NHL camps, allowing teams to evaluate rosters in a competitive yet low-stakes environment. The format has evolved from standalone contests in its early years to include multi-game weekends in later iterations, enhancing its appeal as a fan destination. The event's significance lies in its role as a promotional vehicle for the NHL in non-traditional markets, such as during its original run and in recent years, where it draws substantial attendance—often exceeding 10,000 fans—and amplifies media coverage to cultivate grassroots interest in hockey. By hosting in these locations, Frozen Fury boosts local engagement, as seen in City's growing fanbase through initiatives like youth clinics that introduce the sport to new audiences. In , it originally served as a stunt that transformed into a celebrated tradition, fostering a among traveling Kings supporters and highlighting the league's expansion potential. To broaden its appeal beyond core hockey enthusiasts, Frozen Fury emphasizes elements, including pre-game youth hockey clinics, charity auctions of themed memorabilia, and occasional celebrity hockey tournaments to create a festive atmosphere. During the Las Vegas era, the event capitalized on the city's ecosystem, evolving into a weekend for fans with pre-game activities and post-game social gatherings that combined with , attracting non-traditional audiences to the sport. This blend of competition and spectacle has solidified its status as a preseason highlight, promoting NHL accessibility in emerging markets while delivering memorable experiences for attendees.

History

Las Vegas era (1997–2016)

The Frozen Fury series was hosted annually in from 1997 to 2016, establishing a tradition of preseason NHL games that showcased the against rivals in a high-energy setting. The events were held at the from 1997 through 2015, drawing crowds to the 16,800-seat venue for its combination of hockey and spectacle. In 2016, the series concluded its Las Vegas run at the newly opened , which accommodated up to 17,500 fans and marked a symbolic transition as the NHL eyed expansion to the city. The series experienced two notable hiatuses during this period: no event occurred in 2004, when a planned matchup against the was cancelled amid the NHL's 2004–05 lockout that wiped out the entire regular season and preseason schedule; and the 2012 edition was similarly scrapped due to the 2012–13 lockout, which delayed the start of that season and eliminated all preseason games, including the anticipated Frozen Fury XV. These interruptions highlighted the event's vulnerability to league-wide labor disputes, yet the series resumed strongly each time, reinforcing its status as a preseason staple. Doubleheaders were introduced early in the Las Vegas era, beginning with Frozen Fury II in , which featured two games against the over consecutive nights and set a precedent for expanded programming to maximize fan engagement. This format recurred in select years, such as 2013—when the Kings faced the in the opener followed by the —and 2016, with a matchup against the on October 7 followed by the on October 8, allowing for broader rivalries and increased attendance opportunities. The primary opponent throughout the era was the , reflecting the intense Pacific Division rivalry stemming from the Kings' 1990s battles with the Avalanche's predecessors, with games emphasizing physical play and star power. Exceptions to this matchup included 1999 against the Phoenix Coyotes, 2001 versus the , 2013 with the Rangers, and 2016 facing the and , providing variety while maintaining the event's competitive edge. Attendance typically ranged from 11,000 to 17,000 fans per game, with the inaugural 1997 event drawing 14,000 and later doubleheaders boosting totals, which helped demonstrate sustained interest in in and influenced the league's 2017 expansion to the .

Hiatus period (2017–2020)

Following the conclusion of the 2016 Frozen Fury event at , the series entered a four-year hiatus primarily due to the National Hockey League's expansion to with the , who began play in the 2017–18 season at the new . The addition of an NHL franchise in shifted league priorities toward supporting the expansion team's establishment, rendering the traditional Frozen Fury format—where the Kings hosted exhibitions in the city—less viable as a neutral-site promotion. During this period, the adjusted their preseason schedule to a variety of venues, including international sites like , , in 2017 and , , in 2018, as well as traditional North American locations such as Staples Center in and in . Although no official Frozen Fury events occurred, the Kings continued to play preseason exhibitions against the Golden Knights in 2017 and 2018 in —including a 3–2 overtime victory on September 26, 2017, and a 2–0 loss on September 28, 2018—and in 2019 in with a 3–2 defeat on September 19, all without the Frozen Fury branding or associated festivities. These matchups maintained some rivalry continuity but lacked the promotional scale of prior iterations. The hiatus also coincided with the NHL's increasing exploration of untapped markets in the , highlighted by the league's decision to host preseason games in starting in 2018, such as the Kings' 4–1 win over the on September 24 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, which drew over 12,000 fans and underscored the region's hockey enthusiasm. This event, part of a broader strategy to gauge fan interest in non-traditional markets, reflected early signals of Salt Lake City's viability as a future expansion candidate, with league executives noting opportunities for growth in areas lacking NHL franchises.

Salt Lake City era (2021–2023)

The Frozen Fury series was revived in 2021 following a four-year hiatus, with the Los Angeles Kings announcing on June 15 a multi-year agreement to host preseason games at Vivint Arena (renamed Delta Center in 2023) in Salt Lake City, starting with a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights on September 30, 2021. This initiative, presented by the Utah Sports Commission, aimed to introduce NHL exhibition hockey to the region and assess local fan interest as part of broader efforts to evaluate Utah's viability for league expansion. The series continued with facing the Golden Knights again in 2022 on October 6 at Vivint Arena, maintaining the focus on building hockey enthusiasm in . In 2023, the opponent shifted to the for the October 5 game at the , marking a variation in the scheduling to further engage the local audience while aligning with ' preseason calendar. These events drew strong crowds, with the 2021 game selling out Vivint Arena to approximately 12,000 fans and the 2022 edition attracting 9,869 attendees—near capacity for hockey configurations—demonstrating robust support and positive feedback that bolstered 's NHL expansion bid led by Smith Entertainment Group. A planned fourth event, Frozen Fury SLC IV featuring the Kings against the Golden Knights on September 23, 2024, was canceled on June 20, 2024, following the NHL's approval of an expansion franchise for set to begin play in the 2024–25 season at the . The new Mammoth team instead hosted the Kings in a preseason game at the venue, effectively transitioning the arena's role from exhibition host to home for an NHL franchise.

The games

Early Las Vegas games (1997–2003)

The inaugural Frozen Fury game, held on September 20, 1997, at the in , featured the defeating the 4–3 in overtime. The Kings' goals came from Roman Vopat, , and Craig Johnson, with Donald MacLean scoring the game-winner 2:51 into overtime after had tied the score with 40 seconds remaining in regulation. This matchup established the event's signature rivalry, drawing an initial audience to showcase in a non-traditional market. In 1998, Frozen Fury II innovated with the series' first doubleheader format, pitting the Kings against the Avalanche in two games at the same venue. The won the opener 3–2 via a 10-round , highlighted by Sandy Moger's decisive goal, while the rallied for a 5–4 victory in the nightcap, fueled by Valeri Kamensky and David Jones' contributions despite Luc Robitaille's power-play tally for . This back-to-back structure, unusual for preseason play, added excitement and helped introduce shootouts to the event before their NHL adoption. Frozen Fury III in 1999 shifted opponents as the Kings delivered a 4–0 against the Phoenix Coyotes, with Aki-Petteri Berg scoring just 21 seconds into the game and Stephane Fiset making 19 saves for the clean sheet. The following year, Frozen Fury IV saw the edge the Kings 5–4, with Chris Drury's goal at 31 seconds left securing the win after recorded two goals and two assists, overcoming a late lead by Bob Corkum. The 2001 edition, Frozen Fury V, featured the Kings overcoming the 4–3, scoring all four of their goals in the final two periods, including late strikes from Jaroslav Bednar and Jozef Stumpel to counter efforts from Mike Ricci and . In 2002, Frozen Fury VI produced a thriller as the Kings outlasted the 6–5, with seven third-period goals, key contributions from and , and besting in net. The series concluded its early phase with Frozen Fury VII in 2003, where the Kings won 3–1 against the , powered by Eric Belanger and Derek Armstrong's third-period goals following an early marker from , while successfully killing all eight Avalanche power plays. These initial seven editions saw the Kings compile a dominant 6–1 record, primarily against the but with variations against other Pacific Division foes, fostering high-scoring contests and dramatic finishes that built a growing fan base in . The doubleheader experiment and consistent rivalries underscored the event's role in expanding NHL visibility in the region during this foundational period.

Mid Las Vegas games (2005–2011)

The mid era of Frozen Fury from 2005 to 2011 marked a resumption of the annual preseason showdown between the and following the cancellation of the 2004 event due to the that wiped out the entire 2004–05 season. These contests, held at the , featured a series of closely fought matches that kept the longstanding Kings-Avalanche rivalry at the forefront, with outcomes often hinging on late goals, overtime, or shootouts. The period showcased competitive balance, as each team claimed victories in alternating fashion, drawing strong crowds and maintaining the event's reputation as a high-energy preseason highlight. Frozen Fury VIII on September 24, 2005, saw the edge 2–1 in overtime at the , setting a tone of intensity for the series with a low-scoring defensive battle. The following year, in Frozen Fury IX on September 23, 2006, responded with a 3–2 victory over the , continuing the pattern of narrow margins. This back-and-forth dynamic persisted in Frozen Fury X on September 22, 2007, where prevailed 3–2 in a against the at the Grand. The reclaimed momentum in Frozen Fury XI on September 27, 2008, winning 4–3 via in another thriller that exemplified the rivalry's edge. The dominated Frozen Fury XII on September 26, 2009, defeating the 5–3 behind a penalty-shot goal from Anze Kopitar, one of the more decisive outcomes in the era. They followed with another close win in Frozen Fury XIII on October 2, 2010, topping the 3–2 to cap the Avalanche's preseason. The period concluded with Frozen Fury XIV on October 1, 2011, as the shut down the 4–1 for a convincing win before a sellout crowd of 11,478 at the Grand.
EventDateWinnerScoreLoserVenue
Frozen Fury VIIISeptember 24, 2005Colorado Avalanche2–1 (OT)Los Angeles KingsMGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Frozen Fury IXSeptember 23, 2006Los Angeles Kings3–2Colorado AvalancheMGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Frozen Fury XSeptember 22, 2007Los Angeles Kings3–2 (SO)Colorado AvalancheMGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Frozen Fury XISeptember 27, 2008Colorado Avalanche4–3 (SO)Los Angeles KingsMGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Frozen Fury XIISeptember 26, 2009Los Angeles Kings5–3Colorado AvalancheMGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Frozen Fury XIIIOctober 2, 2010Los Angeles Kings3–2Colorado AvalancheMGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Frozen Fury XIVOctober 1, 2011Colorado Avalanche4–1Los Angeles KingsMGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
This sequence of games, with the Kings winning four and the Avalanche three, bridged the early establishment of the series and the later innovations, though the 2012 edition was cancelled due to another , serving as a transitional pause before the event's evolution.

Later Las Vegas games (2013–2016)

The later years of the Frozen Fury series in marked a transitional period, featuring doubleheader formats and a venue change, as the hosted preseason games against rivals amid evolving NHL scheduling. Following the 2012–13 lockout that canceled the 2012 edition, the series resumed with heightened intensity, culminating in the final events before a hiatus. Frozen Fury XV in 2013 returned to a doubleheader format at the , drawing significant crowds for back-to-back nights of action. On September 27, defeated the 4–1 in the opener, with Anze Kopitar scoring just 15 seconds into the game to set the tone for a dominant performance. The following night, September 28, the edged 3–2 in regulation time, rallying with three second-period goals, including two from , to claim victory in the traditional rivalry matchup. This event highlighted the series' appeal as a preseason showcase, blending emerging stars with established talent. In 2014, Frozen Fury XVI shifted to a single game on October 4 at the , pitting against the in a closely contested affair. The prevailed 3–2 in a after a scoreless , with scoring the lone goal to secure the win for . The game underscored the ongoing competitiveness of the Kings-Avalanche rivalry, which had defined much of the series' history. Frozen Fury XVII on October 3, 2015, saw the deliver a decisive 4–0 shutout victory over the at the , with making 28 saves for the clean sheet. Goals from , , and others highlighted ' defensive prowess and offensive efficiency in what proved to be one of the more one-sided editions. The series concluded its Las Vegas run with Frozen Fury XVIII in 2016, relocating to the newly opened for a doubleheader that marked the venue's NHL debut. On October 7, the defeated the Kings 6–3 in the inaugural at the arena, with Brett Ritchie scoring twice for Dallas in a high-scoring affair that tested the new facility's acoustics and sightlines. The following evening, October 8, the overcame the Kings 2–1 in overtime, as netted the game-winner just 37 seconds into the extra frame after a late tying goal by . These games not only signified the end of the Las Vegas era but also etched the first NHL goals into 's history, with the Kings ironically contributing to the milestone despite the losses. The move to the state-of-the-art venue symbolized the series' evolution, though it would soon face broader NHL changes leading to its temporary suspension.

Salt Lake City games (2021–2023)

The Frozen Fury series was revived in following a four-year hiatus, with the hosting preseason exhibition games at Vivint Arena (later renamed ) from 2021 to 2023 as part of a multi-year agreement to showcase hockey in . In the inaugural Salt Lake City edition on September 30, 2021, defeated the 3–1 before a sold-out crowd of approximately 12,000 fans, marking the first Frozen Fury game since 2016. Goals for were scored by , Gabe Vilardi, and , while the Golden Knights' lone tally came from ; the victory highlighted the Kings' defensive strength in a low-scoring affair. The 2022 matchup, held on October 6, saw the Golden Knights prevail over the Kings 6–4 in front of 9,869 spectators. Vegas built a commanding lead with three second-period goals, including markers from and , though the Kings mounted a late rally with goals from and but fell short. Frozen Fury SLC III on October 5, 2023, featured the edging the 4–3 in , drawing 9,126 fans to the arena. Anze Kopitar scored the game-winner in the extra frame, capping a comeback after San Jose led 3–2; and also contributed for in a fast-paced contest that underscored the series' competitive spirit. The 2024 edition, scheduled for September 23 against the Golden Knights, was canceled following the NHL's relocation of the franchise to as the Utah Hockey Club, reprioritizing local preseason logistics for the new team. These games consistently attracted strong crowds exceeding 9,000, demonstrating robust local interest in professional hockey and bolstering 's bid for NHL expansion by highlighting the market's viability and fan enthusiasm. The events, supported by the Utah Sports Commission, featured fan festivals and transformed the arena into a hockey-centric venue, fostering a vibrant atmosphere that drew both local supporters and traveling fans from and .

Records and statistics

Team records

The have appeared in all Frozen Fury games, playing 24 contests with 14 wins and 10 losses for a .583 . The participated in 17 games, recording 8 wins and 9 losses (.471 ). Other teams' records in the series are as follows:
TeamGamesWinsLossesWinning %
211.500
202.000
1101.000
Phoenix Coyotes101.000
101.000
The recorded 12 wins and 9 losses in over the 21 games played from 1997 to 2016, and 2 wins and 1 loss in across the three games hosted there from 2021 to 2023 (wins vs. VGK in 2021 and SJ in 2023; loss vs. VGK in 2022). Across the three doubleheader events (1998, 2013, and 2016), the Kings posted a 2-4 record in the six games played.

Individual achievements

Anze Kopitar of the stands out among Frozen Fury's top scorers, recording six points (one goal and five assists) across multiple editions through 2014, tying him for the team lead in scoring at the time. In the 2009 game against the , Kopitar notably scored on a penalty shot during a 5-3 Kings victory. Goaltending highlights include Jonathan Quick's 15-save for in the 2015 edition, securing a 4-0 win over the in the series' penultimate Las Vegas game. Earlier, in the inaugural 1997 Frozen Fury, Kings goaltender Stéphane Fiset stopped 22 of 25 shots faced in a 4-3 victory against . Standout moments feature Michael Mersch scoring the first-ever NHL goal at on a deflection of Tyler Toffoli's wrist shot during the 2016 opener against the (Kings lost 3-6). That same year's finale saw captain net the winner 37 seconds into the extra frame, clinching a 2-1 comeback triumph for . Frozen Fury games did not feature formal MVP awards, though event programs occasionally highlighted fan-favored plays from key contributors.

Legacy and conclusion

Cultural impact

The Frozen Fury series significantly contributed to popularizing in desert and Southwest markets by exposing non-traditional audiences to the sport through high-profile preseason exhibitions. In , from 1997 to 2016, the hosted the events at venues like the , drawing crowds to a city without an NHL team and integrating hockey into its entertainment ecosystem, which helped cultivate local interest and tourism. These games attracted celebrities, including Kings alumni for charity events like poker tournaments, enhancing the series' allure and blending sports with Las Vegas's celebrity-driven culture. Media coverage amplified the series' reach, with games regularly televised on NHL Network, providing national exposure and highlighting hockey's appeal in emerging regions. Entertainment tie-ins, such as pre-game fan fests with interactive zones and local performances, further embedded the events in the host cities' cultural scenes, fostering excitement ahead of the on-ice action. Among fans, Frozen Fury inspired enduring traditions that built community and extended the Kings' national following. outside arenas became a staple, where supporters gathered for pre-game festivities, while organized fan caravans from and beyond created a sense of , celebrating the preseason as a seasonal rite. In , starting in 2021, these elements evolved with downtown activations, including jersey-clad fans overtaking bars and restaurants, transforming the area into a temporary hockey hub. The series played a pivotal role in NHL expansion efforts by demonstrating market viability in host cities. In Las Vegas, nearly two decades of successful Frozen Fury events proved sustained fan demand and logistical feasibility, directly influencing the approval of the Vegas Golden Knights for the 2017–18 season and the construction of T-Mobile Arena. Similarly, in Salt Lake City, the 2021–2023 games attracted sold-out or near-capacity crowds—such as 9,126 attendees for the 2023 Kings-Sharks matchup—showcasing Utah's passionate following and infrastructure like the Delta Center, which supported the NHL's 2024 approval of a new franchise in Utah (initially the Utah Hockey Club, later named the Utah Mammoth in 2025). These exhibitions highlighted the region's potential, with vocal fan engagement and economic boosts signaling readiness for full-time professional hockey.

End of the series

The Frozen Fury series concluded after its 2023 edition, with the planned 2024 Frozen Fury matchup in between the and the officially canceled on June 20, 2024. This decision followed the NHL Board of Governors' unanimous approval of a new franchise in on April 18, 2024, which relocated the former operations to under the ownership of Ryan and Ashley Smith. The games during the 2021–2023 era had consistently drawn strong attendance, often exceeding 10,000 fans per event and approaching capacity at the . The cancellation stemmed from the newly approved Utah Hockey Club—later rebranded as the Utah Mammoth in May 2025—taking over local preseason hosting duties at the to build its own fanbase in the inaugural 2024–25 season. Meanwhile, the shifted their focus to alternative exhibition opportunities, including games in other markets like , as part of broader preseason scheduling adjustments. Refunds were promptly issued to ticket holders for the canceled Frozen Fury event, marking the end of the series' 27-year run. As of November 2025, no official plans for revivals of the Frozen Fury have been announced, though the series' history of promoting hockey in non-traditional markets has influenced the NHL's approach to branded preseason events in emerging regions. The model's success in generating buzz and attendance has encouraged similar initiatives, such as targeted exhibitions in international and expansion-adjacent locales, to expand the league's footprint. For the 2025–26 preseason, continued neutral-site games in locations including .

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