SALT LAKE CITY \u2013 Less than 100 days from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, NHL players are preparing to return to the games for the first time in over a decade. With that in mind, let\u2019s take a look at which Utah Mammoth players will have a chance to skate for their respective nations.<\/p>\n
Which Utah Mammoth Players Could Play In Milan?<\/p>\n
As NHL skaters prepare for the largest best-on-best hockey tournament since 2014, the Utah Mammoth have several players who are expected to represent their countries in Milan.<\/p>\n
Utah Mammoth players who should make their Olympic Hockey Teams<\/p>\n
Germany, JJ Peterka<\/p>\n
Beginning with the most likely player to skate for his country in 2026, 23-year-old forward JJ Peterka should be a lock for Team Germany.<\/p>\n
With nine goals and seven assists through 23 games this season, Peterka is one Germany\u2019s most promising young stars who will likely see plenty of ice time at the Olympics.<\/p>\n
In this family, we love JJ Peterka \ud83e\ude75<\/p>\n
2-1, Mammoth! pic.twitter.com\/yRG5cpk81V<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n USA, Clayton Keller<\/p>\n After leading USA Hockey to their first gold medal at the World Championships in nearly a century this past summer, Utah Mammoth Captain Clayton Keller should represent the Stars and Stripes in Italy.<\/p>\n However, based on his performance to this point in the season (20 points in 23 games), he could be one of the last few American skaters to make the roster.<\/p>\n If production picks up between now and December 31, there shouldn\u2019t be an issue.<\/p>\n Kells on the rebound!<\/p>\n All tied up at two. pic.twitter.com\/GkJl1wAJqX<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) November 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n If not, he could find himself on the bubble as USA GM Bill Guerin didn\u2019t hesitate to leave him off the Four Nations roster last season.<\/p>\n Utah Mammoth players who could make their Olympic Hockey Team<\/p>\n Czechia, Karel Vejmelka<\/p>\n After representing his nation this past summer at the World Championships, Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka has a strong case to make Team Czechia in February.<\/p>\n So, what\u2019s the biggest challenge standing in his way?<\/p>\n His performance between the pipes for Utah this season.<\/p>\n With a subpar save percentage of .891 through 17 starts, Vejmelka hasn\u2019t exactly solidified a roster spot.<\/p>\n However, considering that Olympic teams can carry three netminders, Vejmelka still has a good chance of making the cut, especially if his numbers in net continue to improve.<\/p>\n Veggies best save of the season so far pic.twitter.com\/eibxdu3Dar<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Cap\u2019n Cook \ud83e\udda3 (@JazzePinkman) November 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Finland, Olli Maatta<\/p>\n In spite of being a consistent healthy scratch for the Utah Mammoth recently, veteran defenseman Olli Maatta could still make Finland\u2019s Olympic roster in February.<\/p>\n As one of the few Utah players to skate at the Four Nations tournament last season, Maatta had a strong showing for Finland which could potentially result in a trip to Milan.<\/p>\n USA, Logan Cooley<\/p>\n Despite being one of the brightest young American stars in the NHL and attending Team USA\u2019s Olympic Orientation Camp after a strong performance at the World Championships this past summer, it\u2019s still fairly unlikely that Logan Cooley will make the final cut.<\/p>\n What would it take to better his chances?<\/p>\n Near perfection between now and December 31.<\/p>\n Before his five-point night against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night, Cooley had just 16 points in 22 games.<\/p>\n A night 4\ufe0f\u20e3 the history books. \ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/OU5vBiyEHI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) November 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n That\u2019s simply not enough to make an overly talented USA roster.<\/p>\n However, if he could be a point per game player for the next five weeks, he just might force Guerin to make a really tough decision.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not impossible, but it would take a special performance to force his way onto the team.<\/p>\n Sweden, Kevin Stenlund<\/p>\n Another player who likely won\u2019t make an Olympic roster but still has somewhat of a chance is forward Kevin Stenlund.<\/p>\n Not an explosive offensive player by any means, but as a faceoff and PK specialist, he\u2019s someone Sweden should have on their radar as they consider final cuts.<\/p>\n Czechia, Vitek Vanecek<\/p>\n Based on his numbers this season for Utah (.873 SV%), Vitek Vanecek likely doesn\u2019t stand a chance to make Czechia\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n Now, that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s impossible, but with only three spots available it would take a lot for him to get the call over guys like Vejmelka and Lukas Dostal amongst others.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next for the Utah Mammoth?<\/p>\n The Utah Mammoth will conclude their four-game homestand against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. MT.<\/p>\n The game will be available on Mammoth+.<\/p>\n All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM\/1280 AM).<\/p>\n Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports.\u00a0Keep up with him on X here<\/a>.\u00a0You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
\nTake us with you, wherever you go.<\/p>\n