Karel Vejmelka of the Utah Mammoth as seen during an NHL game between the New Jersey Devils and the Utah Mammoth (Credit: Getty Images) The Utah Mammoth received a setback as their starting goaltender, Karel Vejmelka, was confirmed out with an upper-body injury. Initially expected to start, Vejmelka’s condition forced the team to reconsider its goaltending plans. The injury came during a period when the Mammoth were relying heavily on his consistent performances between the pipes.One of the star players has been Vejmelka, having registered a 16-10-2 record, goals against average of 2.70, and a save percentage of 896 in 29 games. The Czech netminder had been in good shape as of late, and he had won four out of his past five starts before being injured. They are also giving him time to rest and recuperate before coming back to action, and long-term health is more important than short-term availability.
Utah Mammoth’s Karel Vejmelka confirmed out with injury
The Mammoth officially announced that Karel Vejmelka will not play while recovering from his upper-body injury. To fill the gap, the team signed Colten McIntyre to an Amateur Try-Out Agreement (ATO), making him the emergency backup goaltender. McIntyre, 21, recently finished his junior hockey career and has experience playing with the Connecticut Roughriders in the Eastern Hockey League.Colten McIntyre, a native of Park City, Utah, was brought in on short notice to back up Vitek Vanecek. McIntyre had previously played for the Long Beach Sharks in the North American Tier III Hockey League and the West Coast Renegades in the North American Prospects Hockey League. The Mammoth’s decision to sign a young local talent highlights the flexibility of NHL emergency backup goaltender rules.Vitek Vanecek will take up starting responsibilities on behalf of the Mammoth since Vejmelka is sidelined. The role of Vanecek is instrumental as Vejmelka is brought back to his feet, making sure that the team has a stable goal. The management at Mammoth has stressed that the foremost thing that they want to see is the recovery of Vejmelka, who would get back to the field in great health following the short break.Also Read: Net worth of Auston Matthews in 2025: Details on Toronto Maple Leafs captain’s earnings, salary, and contracts