Connor Ingram and Utah Mammoth: Heading to New Horizons
Sandy, Utah – Connor Ingram and the Utah Mammoth team have reached an agreement to part ways. The experienced goalkeeper will not participate in the team’s training camp. The general manager, Bill Armstrong, announced that Ingram will be placed on waivers, which will allow him to sign with another team before the start of the regular season in October. Ingram did not show up for the first day of training camp on Wednesday at Utah’s new practice facilities in Sandy.Ingram began last season as Utah’s primary goaltender, with a 9-8-4 record, a 3.27 goals-against average, and an .882 save percentage in 22 games. He suffered injuries before entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on March 9, following the passing of his mother from breast cancer. The 28-year-old player had already participated in the assistance program in 2021 to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.“We had a mutual agreement where we said, ‘Look, we have our goalies.’ It’s probably best for him not to come to camp and not put himself in a difficult situation,” Armstrong commented.
Bill Armstrong, General Manager
“We are excited for him and his road to recovery. That’s the most important thing,” Armstrong added. “He will have the opportunity to play for another NHL team or go to the American Hockey League and resume his game. But at the end of the day, he will be playing and that’s what excites us so much.”
Bill Armstrong, General ManagerAlthough Ingram was cleared to play again on August 20, Utah had already decided to move on. The Mammoth signed Karel Vejmelka to a contract extension in March and added veteran goaltender Vitek Vanecek on a one-year contract in July. Vejmelka recorded a 26-22-8 record for Utah last season, starting in 55 of 58 games. He had a GAA of 2.58 and a save percentage of .904, setting personal records in wins, save percentage, and GAA.Vejmelka started in all but one game during the last two months of the regular season. He believes the extended playing time has prepared him well for a more significant role this season.“He showed us he can win games. He can show up for us some nights when we’re struggling [offensively] and win the game for us. He showed us again that he can bounce back. He showed that he can be consistent. So he showed a lot to himself and everyone last year,” said Utah coach André Tourigny.
André Tourigny, Utah CoachVanecek gives Utah another experienced option in goal. He has a record of 96-56-21, 2.83 GAA, .902 save percentage and 10 shutouts in 188 NHL appearances with Florida, San Jose, New Jersey and Washington over the last five seasons.“I feel comfortable game after game, and I just feel more comfortable in every moment,” Vejmelka commented.
Karel Vejmelka
