Ingram entered the NHL’s player assistance program on March 9.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club goaltender Connor Ingram (39) as Utah Hockey Club hosts the Los Angeles Kings, NHL pre-season hockey in Salt Lake City on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
Connor Ingram is rejoining the Utah Mammoth.
The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association announced Wednesday that Ingram has been cleared by the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to return to the NHL.
The goaltender has been away from the team for the past five months after entering the NHL’s player assistance program on March 9.
Ingram took the time to focus on his mental health, he said in a message on X, after his mother died of breast cancer.
Ingram played 22 games for Utah and posted a 3.27 goals against average and .882 save percentage last season. The 28-year-old last started on Feb. 22 against the Los Angeles Kings. Ingram’s eventual absence led to Karel Vejmelka taking over as the No. 1 starter for the Mammoth the rest of the year.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club goaltender Connor Ingram (39) during an NHL hockey game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024.
Due to the previous uncertainty around Ingram, the Mammoth signed Vítek Vaněček to a one-year, $1.5 million contract in July for some insurance in net.
Vaněček was a depth option for the Florida Panthers last season and had a 3.62 goals against average and .884 save percentage in 25 games.
All three goaltenders — Ingram, Vaněček and Vejmelka — will battle in training camp to determine the slotting. As of now, Vejmelka is the presumptive starter, especially considering his five-year, $23.75 million contract extension in March.
The Mammoth are no doubt excited to have Ingram back and feeling good. His role and game-readiness, though, will be determined in the coming months.