SALT LAKE CITY – After recently clearing the NHLPA Player Assistance Program, the Utah Mammoth’s front office announced during media day that goaltender Connor Ingram will not report to training camp as both sides work to find him a new home.
BREAKING: Connor Ingram will NOT attend training camp as he and the team work to find him a new home.
Armstrong says they plan to eventually place him on waivers.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 17, 2025
Recent history on Utah Mammoth goaltender Connor Ingram
In early March, Ingram entered the NHLPA Player Assistance Program following the tragic passing of his mother to breast cancer.
“For those of you that don’t know, earlier this season I lost my mother to breast cancer. After trying to make a return to playing, l have come to realize that I am not myself,” Ingram wrote on social media.
“At this point in my life I need to put my health first, and the take the proper time I need away to come back at 100%. Though many view the program as a resource for substance abuse, I want to recognize all that they do. I am once again privileged to have access to their network of world-class health professionals to hopefully avoid long-term negative effects of putting your health second. With the program’s assistance, l look forward to getting the medical help I need and returning to a happy and healthy life.”
This marked the second instance that Ingram had utilized the program after addressing obsessive-compulsive disorder back in 2021.
Roughly a month ago, Ingram then cleared the assistance program and could return to the NHL.
Connor Ingram has cleared the assistance program and can now return to the NHL. https://t.co/OWhHWdzjGj
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) August 20, 2025
Update on Utah Mammoth goaltender Connor Ingram
After clearing the program and becoming eligible to return, Utah’s front office announced during media day that Ingram will not attend the Mammoth’s training camp as he seeks a new home.
Notably, both sides are on the same page and will be working cohesively towards a positive outcome in order to provide Ingram with a fresh start on a new team that better suits his needs.
According to Bill Armstrong, the team plans to eventually place him on waivers.
“We’re so excited for him in his path to recovery,” Armstrong said. “That’s the biggest thing. We always look at the player and the person. It’s incredible to know that he’s back ready to play.”
“We both had a mutual agreement. We said, hey listen, we have our goaltenders, it’s probably best for him not to come to camp…at some point in time we’ll put him on waivers.”
In his absence, Vanecek will step into the No. 2 role as Utah’s backup behind Karel Vejmelka.
“Vanecek will bring a lot,” Head coach Andre Tourigny told KSL Sports before training camp. “He brings experience, he’s played a lot of games in the league, and he’s a capable goalie in the NHL.”
“That will be important to have a good mix with Vej.”
Now with a fresh start, Vanecek said that he feels prepared to even challenge Vejmelka for more minutes this season as he enters camp as a recent Stanley Cup Champion.
“In the NHL, it’s always the better goalie plays. So, I don’t think that way, what he [Vejmelka] signed or not,” Vaněček explained.
“I know if I am winning a lot of games, they’re going to give me the time. If he is winning a lot of games, he’s going to get the time. I think it’s going to be a good battle with him.”
As both sides look to come to a positive conclusion and find a new team for Ingram, he will remain on the roster until he was waived.
“Through that process, he will either get a chance to play for another NHL team, or he will go through the AHL and resume his play,” Armstrong added.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
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