SALT LAKE CITY – All’s fair in love, war, and the real estate market when it comes to acquiring a franchise-changing defenseman for Utah Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong.
When the club traded for Stanley Cup winner Mikhail Sergachev, Armstrong unknowingly set in motion a series of events that cost him and his wife the Holladay home they had their hearts set on.
Armstrong shared the story when he joined the Utah Hockey Podcast on Monday, October 6.
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After an exhaustive search with his real estate-loving wife, the pair settled on the perfect home that included an outdoor hot tub.
“We saw this house in Holladay, and it was fabulous. It was unreal. She just fell in love with this house,” Armstrong gushed. “I’m all for this house because of the simple fact it had an outdoor hot tub. I could come home, I can look at the mountains, and this is incredible.”
Before making an offer, the couple drove to the Delta Center for an introduction with the recently acquired Sergachev.
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“We just completed the trade and I ran into him, and he came over with this big smile,” Armstrong remembered.
After exchanging pleasantries, Sergachev decided to brag about the next spot for his famed chickens. As luck would have it, the Sergachevs and Armstrongs have similar tastes in homes.
“He goes, ‘You wouldn’t believe this, but I went and saw this house and I’m gonna put an offer in a couple minutes for this house,’” and Armstrong recalls. “This incredible house. It’s got this hot tub… there’s a chicken coop.”
Armstrong and his wife immediately realize they’re perfect home has been claimed by the team’s newest member.
Armstrong laughs, “My wife and I just looked at each other and said – it’s yours, take the house.”
Mikhail Sergachev named to NHL Network’s top 20 defensemen list
After being traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent seven NHL seasons and won two Stanley Cups, Sergachev became the Mammoth’s primary anchor on the blue line as he commanded the top pairing, led the team in minutes, and posted a career-best 15 goals.
Appearing in 77 games for Utah, Sergachev embraced his new role as a No. 1 defenseman with 38 assists, 53 points, 25:07 time on ice per game (career-high), and an 11.4 shooting percentage (career-high).
Mikhail Sergachev on Utah: “It’s my home. I like how we’re improving as a group…it’s exciting for me. We’re not standing still.”
“I love it here…I could live here after I’m retired. I love this place.” pic.twitter.com/2l7bPyzcqW
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 17, 2025
In terms of offense, Sergachev also led all Mammoth defensemen in goals, assists, and points, skating with the top forward line and serving as a point on the top power play unit.
For his efforts, Sergachev was ranked No. 18 among the NHL Network’s “Top 20 Defensemen Right Now.”
Follow the Utah Mammoth with KSL Sports
The Mammoth open the 2025-26 season in Denver, Colorado, against the Avalanche on Thursday, October 9. The puck drops at 7 p.m. MT. Utah fans get their first in-person look at the team on Wednesday, October 15, when the Calgary Flames come to Salt Lake City.
The Smith Entertainment Group’s (SEG) streaming platform will also continue to carry all Mammoth games on SEG+ in 2025-26.
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.
All Mammoth games will be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM). Occasionally, KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) will pick up Jazz games as well.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
