Utah Hockey Club News

Utah HC has won four of their last five (1-4-0) and will roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Vejmelka was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Czech netminder has a 2.44 GAA and .912 SV% in 39 appearances this season (17-16-4). Utah enters Friday's contest as -163 road favorites against a Chicago team with points in three straight (2-0-1).

Bjugstad was originally said to be missing from practice due to an illness, so it's unclear whether or not this is actually a new injury. The team added he is considered day-to-day, so he is not expected to be out long-term.

Carcone has not played since February 25th, but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Carcone is averaged 11:39 time-on-ice and has 13 points (5G / 8A) in 41 games this season.

Fresh off a five-year, $4.75M AAV contract extension, Vejmelka will be between the pipes on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Vejmelka allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.45 GAA and .910 SV% in 38 games this season (16-16-4). Utah HC enters the action on Thursday as -132 road favorites against a Red Wings club amid a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

Hebig an undrafted 28-year-old forward that has yet to play an NHL game. He has spent most of the previous seven seasons in the AHL, including scoring 37 points (20G / 17A) in 48 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) this season.

Vejmelka is in the final year of a three-year, $2.725M AAV contract and is now signed though the 2029-30 season. Vejmelka has enjoyed the best season of his four-year career so far, going 16-16-4 with a 2.45 GAA, .910 SV% and one shutout in 38 games (35 starts).

Cole was set to become an unrestricted free-agent on July 1st, but will instead remain in Utah for the 2025-26 season. The 36-year-old defenceman has one goal and 12 assists in 61 games for Utah this season and leads the NHL with 160 blocked shots.

Kerfoot was set to become an unrestricted free-agent on July 1st, but will instead remain in Utah next season on a $3-million dollar cap hit. Kerfoot has seven goals and nine assists in 61 games this season.

Bjugstad did not practice on Tuesday due to an illness but will have two full days to recover before Utah returns to the ice on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 32-year-old Bjugstad is averaging 12:39 time-on-ice and has 15 points (5G / 10A) in 53 games this season.

Maatta has impressed in his first season with Utah, earning himself a three-year contract extension. The 30-year-old defenseman started the season with the Detroit Red Wings before being traded to Utah. He has 14 points (2G / 12A) through 51 games and is averaging 20:41 time-on-ice, his highest total since his second NHL season in 2014-15.

Utah HC has won three straight, all with Vejmelka between the pipes, and will roll with him again on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has been terrific lately, allowing two or fewer goals in four straight (4-0-0) while posting a near-perfect .942 SV%. He has a 2.44 GAA and .910 SV% through 37 appearances this season (16-15-4).

O'Brien will fill in for late scratch Michael Carcone (lower-body). O'Brien has zero goals and one assist in 20 games this season.

Carcone was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with Utah not announcing his absence prior to warmups. He is considered day-to-day with the injury. Liam O'Brien will draw into the lineup in Carcone's place.

Utah has won two straight and wil roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Vejmelka has been excellent lately, with a 1.39 GAA and .943 SV% during a three-game winning streak. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV% in 36 appearances this season (15-15-4). Utah enters the action on Thursday as -182 home favorites against an injury-depleted Minnesota team coming off a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Utah has won two straight and will likely roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Vejmelka has been excellent lately, with a 1.39 GAA and .943 SV% during a three-game winning streak. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV% in 36 appearances this season (15-15-4). Utah enters the action on Thursday as -182 home favorites against an injury-depleted Minnesota team coming off a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Vejmelka was solid in his most recent outing, despite not being heavily tested, saving 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.52 GAA and .909 SV% in 35 games this season (14-15-4). Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as sizeable -253 home favorites against a Blackhawks club outscored 16-8 during a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).

Vejmelka was solid in his most recent outing, despite not being heavily tested, saving 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.52 GAA and .909 SV% in 35 games this season (14-15-4). Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as sizeable -253 home favorites against a Blackhawks club outscored 16-8 during a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).

Valimaki has not played since January 26th and will report to the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL) after clearing waivers on Monday. The 26-year-old defenseman averaged 16:33 time-on-ice and recorded five points (2G / 3A) in 43 games with Utah this season.