Utah Hockey Club News

The Utah Hockey Club, losers of three of their last four, will turn to Vejmelka between the pipes for the second time in four games. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has been used sparingly this season, taking a backseat to Connor Ingram, but has been serviceable in limited action, posting a 2.75 GAA and .899 SV% in three appearances (0-3-0). That said, Vejmelka and Utah HC will be challenged on Wednesday in a battle against the Carolina Hurricanes, 9-1-0 in their last 10.

DeSimone played 11 games with the Devils last season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has primarily been an AHL players, playing only 38 career NHL games since his professional debut in the 2016-17 season. In nine games with the Utica Comets (AHL) this season, the 29-year-old DeSimone has two points (0G / 2A) and a -10 plus/minus.

Utah will turn back to Ingram between the pipes on Thursday after Karel Vejmelka got the nod in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Ingram's early season struggles continued his last time out as he allowed four goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 overtime defeat at the hands of the Golden Knights. Thanks to some strong goal support, Ingram has still managed a 5-2-3 record on the season despite an .881 SV% and a 3.57 GAA. Utah enters action as slight favourites tonight in St. Louis at -115.

Utah will likely turn back to Ingram between the pipes on Thursday after Karel Vejmelka got the nod in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Ingram's early season struggles continued his last time out as he allowed four goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 overtime defeat at the hands of the Golden Knights. Thanks to some strong goal support, Ingram has still managed a 5-2-3 record on the season despite an .881 SV% and a 3.57 GAA. Utah enters action as slight favourites tonight in St. Louis at -115.

Carcone has been limited to only three games this season after a career-high 21 goal 2023-24 season. He has zero points, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 11:19 time-on-ice through three games this season. He will draw in for Robert Bortuzzo on Thursday as Utah HC will revert back to the traditional 12-forward, six-defensemen formation.

Utah HC will revert from the seven-defenseman formation their used in their previous outing, sending Bortuzzo to the press box as a healthy scratch, with Michael Carcone drawing back into the lineup. The 35-year-old Bortuzzo has a -4 plus/minus, zero points, and 11:11 ATOI through six games.

Vladislav Kolyachonok will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Bortuzzo to re-enter the lineup for the first time since October 28th. The 35-year-old Bortuzzo is averaging 12:11 time-on-ice, has zero points, and a -4 plus/minus through five games this season.

Connor Ingram has started the last four games for Utah HC, but Vejmelka will start on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. In limited action this season, appearing only three times (0-2-0), Vejmelka has a 3.04 GAA and .889 SV%. Utah HC has a .542 point percentage with a 5-4-3 record but has a -5 goal differential, allowing an average of 3.5 goals per game. Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as +183 road underdogs against the Jets, leading the league with 22 points (11-1-0).

Connor Ingram has started the last four games for Utah HC, but Vejmelka will likely start on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. In limited action this season, appearing only three times (0-2-0), Vejmelka has a 3.04 GAA and .889 SV%. Utah HC has a .542 point percentage with a 5-4-3 record but has a -5 goal differential, allowing an average of 3.5 goals per game. Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as +183 road underdogs against the Jets, leading the league with 22 points (11-1-0).

O'Brien will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday in favor of Juuso Valimaki as Utah HC will go with an 11-forward, seven-defensemen formation. The 30-year-old O'Brien has zero points, five penalty minutes, and 13 hits in three games this season.

Valimaki will re-enter Utah's lineup on Wednesday as the team will opt to go with an 11-forward, seven-defensemen formation. Valimaki has not played the last two games and has zero points and a -5 plus/minus in eight outings this season.

Utah HC will attempt to snap a four-game losing skid on Wednesday and turn to Ingram between the pipes. Ingram has lost four of his last five outings (1-2-2), allowing three or more goals four times, and posting an ugly .865 SV%. After a 3-0-0 start to the season, Utah has only won once in their last seven contests (1-4-2). They enter the action on Wednesday as -116 home favorites against a Calgary Flames club that has been outscored 14-5 during a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).

Kesselring has been a mainstay on Utah's blueline this season, and will play on Wednesday against the Calgary Flames despite missing practice on Tuesday due to an illness. The 24-year-old Kesselring is off to a hot start, with five points (2G / 3A) in 10 games this season.

Maata was acquired yesterday in a trade from the Detroit Red Wings to address their injuries on the blue line, namely John Marino (back) and Sean Durzi (shoulder), who are out of the lineup for the foreseeable future. Maatta, in the final year of a two-year, $3.0M AAV deal, has no points, three SOG, seven blocked shots, and three hits in seven games this season.

Utah's blueline has been shorthanded after John Marino went back surgery and Sean Durzi had shoulder surgery, so they've added an NHL-calibre defenseman to help fill the void. Maatta, who is in the final year of a two-year, $3.0M AAV deal, has no points, three SOG, seven blocked shots and three hits in seven games this season.

Kesselring has been a mainstay on Utah's blueline this season, but could be at jeopardy of missing his first game of the season on Wednesday as he is battling an illness. The 24-year-old Kesselring is off to a hot start, with five points (2G / 3A) in 10 games this season.

Doan is averaging 13:05 time-on-ice and has only two points (1G / 1A) in nine games this season after a considerably more productive trial run last season when he scored nine points (5G / 4A) in 11 games. After making him a healthy scratch on Monday, Utah is opting to send him down to Tucson where he can continue to play and further his development.