Utah Hockey Club News

Vejmelka returned to practice on Thursday after being absent on Wednesday due to an illness. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.57 GAA and .909 SV% in 34 games (13-15-4). Assuming he has no setback, Vejmelka will likely be between the pipes for Utah in one of their back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday.

Cooley did not play the previous six games for Utah HC before the break for the 4-Nations Face Off but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 20-year-old forward has been enjoying a tremendous season with Utah, scoring 43 points (15G / 28A) in 50 games.

It's unclear if Vejmelka will be ready to return to the lineup when Utah HC returns to action on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.57 GAA and .909 SV% in 34 games (13-15-4). If Vejmelka is still sidelined on Saturday, expect to see Connor Ingram between the pipes.

With Connor Ingram announced out day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Jaxson Stauber was recalled from Tucson (AHL) to back up Karel Vejmelka. The 25-year-old has performed exceptionally in his limited starts with Utah this season, posting a .925 SV%, 2.23 GAA and 2-1-1 record.

Ingram missed practice on Tuesday and was announced day-to-day due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old netminder has struggled greatly in 2024-25 after a strong starting campaign last season, with his 9-7-4 record, 3.23 GAA and .884 SV%. Jaxson Stauber was recalled from Tucson in Ingram's absence, but Karel Vejmelka is expected to get the bulk of Utah's starts regardless.

Durzi has missed Utah's previous 52 games with a shoulder injury but is expected to return to the lineup Saturday vs. Los Angeles. The 26-year-old offensively driven defenseman will make a welcome addition to Utah's back end after he started the season hot with two assists, three SOG and seven PIMs in his first four games before his lengthy injury absence.