Smith Entertainment Group Appoints Chris Armstrong as President of Hockey Operations for Utah Hockey Club

Today, Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) announced the appointment of Chris Armstrong as President of Hockey Operations for the Utah Hockey Club, the first NHL team in Utah and the league’s newest club. Armstrong will also serve as Alternate Governor. In his new role, Armstrong will be responsible for leading SEG’s NHL franchise and will work closely with business and hockey operations, SEG ownership and the senior leadership team to build a world-class organization for Utah.

“We are excited to welcome Chris to the SEG leadership team,” said Ryan Smith, Governor of the Utah Hockey Club and Founder of Smith Entertainment Group. “He has built strong relationships with top players, agents and executives throughout the hockey world throughout his career, and his unique background and diverse skill set will be critical as we look to create the best possible hockey experience for our community, fans, players, coaches and front office.”

Armstrong comes to Utah after nearly 14 years with Wasserman, where he most recently served as executive vice president of talent, innovation and strategic development. He was a key figure in the formation of the company’s Canadian business in 2010 and advised on the acquisition strategy that launched the company’s hockey business in 2018. He has continued to be involved in growing the company’s hockey business, maintaining high-level relationships with the league and its partners, and supporting marketing, content and branding efforts for elite players. Over the past decade, he has also negotiated several contracts for prominent hockey executives within the NHL. Throughout his tenure, Armstrong has been a central part of the leadership group for Wasserman’s global golf business and he managed the careers of a number of elite players and personalities in professional golf, including Utah’s Tony Finau.

Amstrong became Sports Business Journal 2021 Forty Under 40 Honoree and received one of the prestigious “5 to Watch” awards as the top executive under 40 in the Canadian sports industry in 2013. In 2012, he received his second Distinguished Alumni Award from Brock University and was named one of the top 35 alumni of the last 35 years. Armstrong was the youngest executive to be named in the “Globe and Mail”s Sports Power 50 list in 2011. He is passionate about philanthropy and community involvement and currently serves as Chair of the Canadian Board of Global Citizen and on the boards of several athlete foundations.

Armstrong is a Montreal native who attended McGill University, where he was recruited by men’s hockey coach Martin Raymond. He moved to video and student assistant coaching under Raymond and worked part-time as an amateur scout for McGill in the Ontario Hockey League while earning a degree in sports management from Brock University. He began his professional career in 2004 with IMG in Toronto.