There’s nothing like a good Chick-fil-A introduction after winning the Stanley Cup—not once, but twice. This is exactly the kind of bonding moment that unfolded for Ian Cole and Olli Määttä, who were teammates with the Pittsburgh Penguins during their 2016 and 2017 back-to-back championship victories. Just imagine it: the two driving home from the airport, savoring their monumental win, when hunger strikes. Cole, suddenly craving a Chick-fil-A bite, innocently suggests stopping by the famous chicken chain. But to his surprise, Määttä is unfamiliar with it. “What’s Chick-fil-A?” Määttä asks. Cole could barely believe it. “I was like, ‘You’ve never had Chick-fil-A!?’” Cole recalls with a laugh, claiming that his “claim to fame” is introducing Määttä to his first Chick-fil-A experience.
Fast forward to now, and these two veteran defensemen are together again, not just for another meal but with a shot at one more Stanley Cup victory. This reunion has brought a nostalgic and energizing twist for both players. The Utah Hockey Club, where they’re now teaming up, is hopeful that this duo can rekindle some of that championship spirit. And for Määttä, there’s even more reason to feel welcome: Utah has an impressive 33 Chick-fil-A locations, with one right inside the Delta Center, their home arena. This adds a fun, local flavor to an otherwise serious mission—strengthening Utah's defense, which has struggled this season.
The journey that brought Määttä to Utah has been unexpected but timely. Utah has been dealing with a series of injuries, losing key defensemen Sean Durzi and John Marino for months due to shoulder and back surgeries, respectively. The team initially tried to find solutions from within, calling up promising talents like Patrik Koch and Maveric Lamoureux from the Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL, and giving younger players like Michael Kesselring larger roles. But after conceding 17 goals over four games, Utah realized it needed an experienced hand to bolster its defense. Määttä, a steady presence with two Stanley Cup wins to his name, seemed like just the answer.
So, after trading a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Detroit Red Wings, Utah acquired Määttä, hoping he’d bring both experience and stability to the team’s defense. Utah’s general manager Bill Armstrong praised Määttä, saying, “With what we acquired in Olli—he’s a two-time Stanley Cup winner. He brings a lot of stability to the defense, and that’s what we need.” It’s clear Armstrong believes Määttä’s battle-tested skills will “calm things down” for Utah’s defense, a crucial factor as the team works to lower its goals-against average.
It’s worth taking a look at what Määttä brings to the table statistically and from his past NHL experiences. While his time in Detroit this season hasn’t been particularly flashy—he’s gone scoreless in seven games—Määttä had an impressive 18-point performance last season, tallying four goals, 14 assists, and a plus-14 rating in 72 games. Now in his 12th NHL season, Määttä isn’t just an experienced player; he’s a seasoned warrior who’s been in intense playoff battles, bringing invaluable grit and focus to Utah.
Coach André Tourigny echoed this sentiment, noting that Määttä “brings size, experience to the backend.” Tourigny also mentioned the team’s lineup adjustments as they prepared for Määttä’s debut, stating they’d go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Määttä would rotate playing alongside defensemen Vladislav Kolyachonok and Juuso Välimäki, aiming to solidify Utah’s lines in their upcoming game against the Calgary Flames. The team is also hoping that Määttä’s presence will help end a four-game losing streak that has put extra pressure on their defense.
Beyond just boosting Utah’s current defense, Määttä’s acquisition aligns well with the team’s long-term strategy. His current contract—a two-year, $6 million deal with no extended term after this season—is likely one reason Utah found him appealing. By bringing in a veteran without committing to a long-term contract, Utah gets the best of both worlds: experience and stability now, without crowding the roster for budding defensemen who’ll be ready for bigger roles in the future. Armstrong hinted at this balance, sharing, “You want to see if we can always push the limits of how good we can be this year. Doesn’t mean we’re going to win the Stanley Cup, but we’re competitive inside that locker room.”
Fans and players alike understand that one player alone won’t solve Utah’s defensive challenges, but Määttä’s presence will be invaluable. His veteran insight and game awareness should relieve some of the high-stress situations that Utah’s young defensemen have been forced into, allowing the team to better manage minutes and strategies during critical plays. “He’s a smart player, puts himself in good spots,” Cole added. “Can make some plays when those situations arise. I think we should be very excited to have him. He’s a great hockey player, a great guy.”
It’s hard not to draw parallels between the situation Utah faces now and Pittsburgh’s 2017 playoff run, where Määttä was a central figure. After winning the Cup in 2016, the Penguins had a tougher climb the following year, especially when All-Star defenseman Kris Letang missed the playoffs due to neck surgery. Many doubted their ability to repeat a championship without their top defenseman. “No one was really giving us a shot,” Cole recalls, noting that fans and analysts alike had written off the team. “Like, ‘Oh, they don’t have any No. 1 defensemen, they’re never going to win.’ We just had six guys who were really good,” Cole explained. Among those six was Määttä, who logged eight points in the playoff run and contributed significantly to Pittsburgh’s defensive resilience, showing the kind of player he can be when the stakes are high.
So when Määttä hit the ice with Utah for the first time, it wasn’t just another game. This reunion, this chance to bring the grit, composure, and yes, a bit of Chick-fil-A nostalgia, could be exactly what Utah needs to find its footing this season. While Utah’s focus is on immediate improvements, there’s always the dream of lifting a trophy that could carry them further. With veterans like Määttä on board, that dream feels a little closer.
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