Connor Ingram and the Utah Mammoth have decided to go their separate ways, leaving the veteran goaltender out of training camp. General manager Bill Armstrong announced that Ingram will be hitting the waivers, giving him the chance to sign with another team before the regular season kicks off in October. Ingram was a no-show on the first day of training camp at Utah’s new practice facility in Sandy, prompting the decision to part ways.
Armstrong stated, “We both agreed that it’s best for him to not show up to camp since we already have our goaltenders all set up. It wouldn’t really make sense for him to be in a tough spot by coming to camp.” Last season, Ingram started off as Utah’s main goaltender, finishing with a 9-8-4 record and a 3.27 goals-against average in 22 games. However, a series of injuries followed by the loss of his mother to breast cancer led to his entry into the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on March 9. This wasn’t Ingram’s first time in the program, as he had previously sought treatment for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder back in 2021.
Although Ingram was given the green light to return to play in August, Utah had already made up their minds to move forward without him. The Mammoth secured Karel Vejmelka with a contract extension in March and brought in veteran goaltender Vitek Vanecek on a one-year deal in July. Vejmelka had an impressive 26-22-8 record last season, starting in 55 out of 58 games and achieving career highs in wins, save percentage, and goals-against average. Coach André Tourigny commended Vejmelka’s consistency and ability to deliver in crucial moments throughout the season, expressing confidence in his performance for the upcoming games. On the other hand, Vanecek’s addition provides Utah with another seasoned option in the goaltending department. With nearly 200 NHL appearances under his belt, Vanecek brings a wealth of experience to the team, further strengthening their lineup for the upcoming season.
