SALT LAKE CITY – As their second official offseason comes to an end, the Utah Mammoth have yet again improved their roster as they prioritized depth, scoring and even more championship experience.
In need of another goaltender, the Mammoth signed reigning Stanley Cup Champion Vítek Vaněček to a one-year, $1.5 million contract in order to provide more stability behind Karel Vejmelka.
As training camp swiftly approaches, Vaněček is not only excited about his new opportunity but he’s also looking forward to battling for more minutes between the pipes.
Vaněček reflects on Stanley Cup with Florida Panthers
In early March, Vaněček hit the jackpot as he was traded from the San Jose Sharks to Florida Panthers.
Shortly after dealing goaltender Spencer Knight to the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida needed another backup and acquiring Vaněček was their quickest solution.
Despite only spending just a few months in Florida and playing in just seven regular season games without any postseason appearances, Vaněček proudly lifted Lord Stanley over his head after the Panthers yet again defeated Edmonton in the final.
Vitek Vanecek to the #Mammoth. pic.twitter.com/keZ6c2pOcB
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) July 1, 2025
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Vaněček said. “The game was over, we jump on the ice, everybody hugs each other and then after that Tomáš Nosek passed me the cup. It’s just an amazing feeling when you raise it over your head. You’re waiting for that many, many years.”
For Vaněček, that accomplishment also required a memento in the form of a tattoo.
Alongside fellow Czech and Panther teammate Tomáš Nosek, the two celebrated their victory by inking the cup on their rib cages.
Painful, but totally worth it.
Ink for life 🤝 Champs for life
Tomáš Nosek and Vitek Vaněček are doing their @StanleyCup celebrations right!
📸: @NHLcz pic.twitter.com/3ZuHIQeven
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) August 14, 2025
“The day before the first game I came to Nosek and I asked him, ‘Hey if we win to the Stanley Cup are we going to do a tattoo?’” Vaněček explained.
“He said, ‘Oh, I don’t know about that. My wife told me if I want to put the kids on my body.’ and then he said no. So, he cannot say he wants the Stanley Cup on his body. Then he came the other day and said, ‘Yeah, if we win let’s do it.’” Vaněček continued.
Vaněček excited to join Utah as he battles for minutes in net
After winning the cup just a few months ago, Vaněček has been presented with a new challenge in Utah.
Rather than pushing for another championship in Florida, the Czech goaltender will have an opportunity to help provide Mammoth fans with their first ever Stanley Cup Playoff experience.
He believes they can get it done.
“They have a really good team. They have a really good core with the young guys,” he said.
“I feel that team is really good, and I know we can the playoffs and then make the run in the playoffs. That’s why I decided on Utah.”
On a personal level, Vaněček will also have his work cut out for him from a minute’s standpoint.
In addition to Karel Vejmelka establishing himself as the clear number one and signing a fat contract, if Connor Ingram is in a place to fully return and challenge for time in Utah, Vaněček will have a lot to prove.
But that doesn’t scare him.
“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.”
The reigning Stanley Cup Champion will now make his way to Utah to participate in training camp in the coming weeks.
“I’m really excited to come to Utah,” he added. “I know they are really good fans. I am excited to step on the ice when I’m playing and they’re going to be cheering for us.”
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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