SALT LAKE CITY – Two of the Utah Mammoth’s forwards continue to make progress towards eventual returns as both Logan Cooley and Alexander Kerfoot participated in drills during morning skate on Monday.
Utah Mammoth forwards Logan Cooley & Alexander Kerfoot participate in practice wearing non-contact sweaters
While Cooley made some appearances during several morning skates on Utah’s most recent road trip, Monday was the first time that No. 92 actually participated in any drills.
Despite sitting out when the team skated lines in preparation for tonight’s matchup against Vancouver, Cooley jumped into a two-on-one drill with Alexander Kerfoot.
During the short drill, Cooley was confident on the puck, took powerful strides and played with speed as he looked strong.
Cooley didn’t skate lines but he’s participating in some drills during morning skate.
Continued progress. pic.twitter.com/ez2lRrRyTm
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 2, 2026
Today’s practice marks another significant step in both players recovery as Kerfoot also skated lines with the defensemen in groups of four.
Forward lines from today:
Keller – Schmaltz – Crouse
Peterka – Hayton – Yamamoto
Carcone – McBain – Guenther – But
Tanev – Stenlund – O’Brien
Kerfoot skated with the defense. Cooley did not participate.#TusksUp #Canucks
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 2, 2026
Obviously, Kerfoot is not a defenseman nor will be play against Vancouver, but skating lines was another step in the right direction.
When could Logan Cooley and Alex Kerfoot return for the Utah Mammoth?
Before speculating on either player’s return, it is important to point out that both Cooley and Kerfoot were still wearing non-contact sweaters during morning skate.
Additionally, with only two games left before the Olympic break, it’s unlikely that either player would suddenly be inserted into the lineup as Utah’s January push has placed the team in a good spot in terms of the wild card race.
So, while Cooley is approaching the eight-week mark of his recovery, there’s no reason to rush him back as the break will offer three additional weeks of rehab and rest.
“He’s progressing well,” Head coach Andre Tourigny said of Cooley in Carolina. “He’s not there yet. He needs a little bit more time to heal & to get stronger but we’re happy with the progression.”
As for Kerfoot, while there has yet to be an established timeline for his return, skating lines during today’s practice only adds further evidence that he is also nearing a return to play.
Notably, after the Mammoth reassigned Dmitri Simashev to Tucson on Friday, the team has yet to fill the final roster spot with only two healthy scratches.
That’s a pretty good indicator that both of these players are close.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
The Utah Mammoth will continue their three-game home stand against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM).
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.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
