Michael Hrabal practices at Utah Mammoth rookie camp at Utah Mammoth Ice Center in Sandy on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 (Tess Crowley, Deseret News).
(Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – As Mammoth hockey finally returned to the ice for the first time since May, Utah kicked off the 2026 rookie showcase with a dominant 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.
Led by three of their top prospects, Utah orchestrated a perfect special teams’ performance enroute to the opening win.
Following a collection of penalties against the Vegas Golden Knights early in the first period, one of which included a double minor that ended Max Psenicka’s afternoon early as he took a stick up high, the Utah Mammoth proceeded to dominate on the man advantage.
Going a perfect 3/3 on the power play, Utah consistently punished the Knights with all the extra space.
After Miko Matikka opened the scoring by cleaning up a rebound right on the doorstep, Daniil But scored a beauty on the second half of the double minor as he powered his way to the net and beat Pavel Moysevich with a crafty move.
Later in the period, the Mammoth yet again struck on the man advantage as Artem Duda burst into the zone and fired a wrister from deep which beat Moysevich over the shoulder.
Despite a scoreless contest at 5-on-5 throughout the remaining two periods, Utah was still the better team.
Clearly possessing more NHL talent, Utah kept their composure defensively by limiting the Knights offensive zone possessions, killing a 5-on-3, breaking out efficiently, asserting themselves on the forecheck and committing very few mistakes.
Without question, the better club won.
Featuring the likes of Daniil But, Dmitri Simashev and goaltender Michael Hrabal, Utah’s top prospects were arguably the best skaters on the ice on Saturday afternoon.
Repping the captain’s ‘C’ on his sweater for the first time as a Mammoth, Simashev led his fellow prospects by example with a solid all-around performance.
Introducing… Dmitri C-mashev 🫡 pic.twitter.com/sb4QUyBwI6
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) September 12, 2026
While he was unable to get on the scoresheet, Simashev looked confident in the O-zone as he consistently jumped into the offense, quarterbacked the power play, moved the puck well and positioned himself for a few dangerous one-timers.
He was also exceptional defensively as he poke-checked pucks, won position battles in front of the net, contributed to a perfect PK and coordinated efficient breakouts.
As for Michael Hrabal, the towering netminder was impenetrable all afternoon as he confidently posted a shutout with ease.
Despite just a handful of dangerous opportunities for the Knights, Hrabal was excellent in those moments as he made himself big while tightening up every seam to deny each individual puck thrown on frame.
Finally, But may have been the best player on the ice on Saturday as he confidently attacked every inch of the offensive zone.
In addition to his impressive power play goal as he maneuvered right to the net front, But was confident on the puck down low, near the slot and on the perimeter.
Power move by But.
Heck of a game today by No. 50. pic.twitter.com/Yk7Ij7pUuz
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 13, 2026
Now, while these games still aren’t comparable to the National Hockey League, it was still positive to see But and Simashev playing with confidence.
A year ago, both players struggled to effectively generate offense for Utah.
Watching them play with confidence is a notable development as both players prepare to make a significant push at training camp.
The Utah Mammoth will continue the rookie showcase on Sunday as they face the San Jose Sharks at 6 p.m. MT.
Streaming services are TBD.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Follow him on X. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
