Three Takeaways From Day One Of Utah Mammoth Training Camp

Sep 18, 2025 , 3:54 PM | Updated: Sep 19, 2025, 10:34 am

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Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth training camp....

Utah Mammoth’s Clayton Keller, center, attends practice at the Mammoth practice and training facility at the southeast end of The Shops at South Town in Sandy on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 (Laura Seitz, Deseret News).

(Laura Seitz, Deseret News)

COLE BAGLEY


Utah Mammoth Insider

SALT LAKE CITY – Hockey has officially returned to the Wasatch front as the Utah Mammoth hosted the first day of training camp at their brand-new training facility in Sandy.

As NHL skaters and a collection of top prospects took to the ice, the intensity was palpable as players began competing for highly coveted spots on the roster.

Here are three takeaways from day one of Utah’s training camp:

The intensity and pace were incredibly high during day one of the Utah Mammoth’s training camp

While it was only day one of the Utah Mammoth’s training camp, both the intensity and pace were incredibly high.

From stars like Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley down to the young prospects like Tij Iginla and Cole Beaudoin, every single player was battling relentlessly.

That’s phenomenal.

Rather than easing in or just going through the motions, collectively, the group has already bought in and understand what will be required during a highly competitive training camp.

“The guys have the knowledge of what we are into. They know we are in a competitive training camp,” head coach Andre Tourigny said.

“We learned from the past…they know what they’re signing up for. I think everybody has come in, everybody’s ready, they know what’s up for grab.”

Stepping into the fifth year of the rebuild, this is right where things should be.

No more excuses. No more settling for mediocrity.

But every single player pushing to maintain their job, motivating one another to be better and demanding the absolute best from the group in order to produce the right results.

So far, it seems as though the message has been received after just one day of camp.

The newcomers passed the initial eye test

Following their inaugural season, it was a busy summer for the Utah Mammoth.

In addition to making the biggest trade of the offseason by acquiring JJ Peterka, Utah also added several new faces in free agency to deepen their roster.

Based on the initial eye test, several of them passed and began demonstrating exactly why they were brought in.

Beginning with Peterka, the young forward was quick to assert himself and did not disappoint as his offense was noticeably as advertised.

He played fast, was consistently dangerous and can absolutely fire laser beams.

While Peterka will no doubt be among Utah’s top six, it’s fun to imagine him on the top power play unit as well.

Think about it for a minute.

Peterka on the right side, Dylan Guenther on the left and Clayton Keller or Logan Cooley facilitating?

Opposing teams would constantly be at risk as a lethal one-timer could come from either side at any moment.

“Be excited. I’m an exciting player to watch with a lot of speed,” Peterka said with confidence during media day.

“Don’t look away. Be excited for some action.”

Related: Notable Quotes, Headlines From Utah Mammoth Media Day

The more I see Brandon Tanev, the more I like that Utah added him in the offseason.

He isn’t flashy, he’s not going to score a ton of points, but he is absolutely rambunctious as he’s able to create havoc on every inch of ice.

Throughout the first practice, Tanev was often seen battling in the corners, lifting sticks, delivering checks and using his voice.

Utah needed more of that.

They needed more energy and a player who was going to consistently cause problems for the other team every single shift.

That’s what Tanev brings to the table and the Mammoth should greatly benefit from him on the roster.

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How did the young prospects fair against the NHL skaters?

After a disappointing performance at the Rookie Showcase last weekend, the majority of Utah’s young prospects looked solid during day one of Utah’s training camp.

Dmitriy Simashev was confident and calm on the ice, Cole Beaudoin refused to back down regardless of the situation, Tij Iginla’s offense was visibly elite and Daniil But towered over everyone on the ice as he played with an aggressive approach.

However, there were two things that stood out a bit more while watching the prospects on the first day.

Let’s start with Daniil But.

At 6-foot-5, But is simply massive on the ice.

Generally, he stands above everyone else and is an absolute freight train when he attacks the net with speed and ferocity.

But thus far, he still just seems pretty raw.

Through roughly a week of watching him in both game and practice situations, I’d almost argue that he’s currently the furthest away from being NHL ready amongst Utah’s former first-round picks.

He’s struggled to connect on his shot, made a collection of errant passes, demonstrated poor positioning and just hasn’t quite asserted himself.

But that’s ok.

He’s young and currently making a difficult leap from the KHL to NHL.

With time and better coaching, he should be able to figure things out.

However, as of right now, I’d be surprised if But didn’t spend most if not all of this next season in the AHL based on how he’s performed thus far.

Transitioning to Tij Iginla, the young forward from Kelowna had a great first day of training camp.

Not that I’m convinced he’s going to make the roster, but he had several flashes of offensive brilliance that made you contemplate just how far away he actually is.

What stands out the most about his game in the O-zone is his body control on the puck, vision, hands, and fiercely lethal wrist shot.

On the final drill of the session, Iginla scored the game winner to save his team from doing skating lines as he emerged from behind the net, surveyed his options, split two defensemen and then fired a blistering shot top shelf before anyone could even blink.

He’s just so good, and while I reiterate that I don’t see him making the roster this season, I can’t imagine he’s all that far away and could potentially force the coaches to make a really difficult decision.

What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?

Training camp is set to begin on September 17 and will run through October 4.

The Mammoth’s first preseason game will be a split-squad matchup on September 21 against the Colorado Avalanche.

The first game will be at 2:30 pm MT while the second puck will drop at 6:30 pm MT.

Both games will be available on Mammoth+.

Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.

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