The Hat Trick: Which prospects shined during Utah Mammoth development camp?

Jul 6, 2026 , 3:06 PM

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Utah Mammoth Development Camp, Caleb Desnoyers....

Caleb Desnoyers, center, smiles during the Utah Mammoth 2026 Development Camp at the Utah Mammoth Ice Center in Sandy on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 (Tess Crowley, Deseret News.)

(Tess Crowley, Deseret News.)

COLE BAGLEY


Utah Mammoth Insider

SALT LAKE CITY — Roughly two years after Tij Iginla was selected with the first pick in franchise history, the Utah Mammoth hosted their most competitive development camp to date this past week.

Featuring a collection of multiple first-round picks, highly regarded prospects and other young skaters trying to prove themselves, development camp provided a glimpse into both the distant and immediate future.

Here are the key takeaways from the Utah Mammoth’s third iteration of development camp.

A quick word on Cole Beaudoin being traded for Vincent Trocheck

Despite beginning development camp with four first-round picks, the Mammoth eventually wrapped up the week with three as Cole Beaudoin was dealt to the New York Rangers as part of the Vincent Trocheck acquisition.

Undoubtedly a great deal for both sides, but one that has left some fans unsettled, so let’s break it down.

Now, just because Utah improved its current roster by adding Trocheck doesn’t mean that losing Beaudoin doesn’t hurt.

After two years of developing in Utah’s pipeline, Beaudoin had made notable progress and was beaming with confidence at development camp as he described his goals for the fall.

“I do, yeah. … I want to be there in the starting lineup and that’s what I plan on doing,” Beaudoin said ahead of development camp.

“I want to be playing with Utah. … I think I can help this team win with the way I play and how reliable I am.”

It’s tough to lose a prospect like that — not only because of his talent and non-stop motor, but because Beaudoin was ready to go pro in one way or another this fall. Now, we’ll never know how that might’ve played out with the Mammoth.

But that’s just it.

You never know what a prospect is going to become in the league, which is why trading for a veteran center you’ve coveted is a move any general manger is going to make in that scenario 10 out of 10 times.

“Vincent Trocheck is another ultimate teammate,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “A guy that is a glue guy. He’ll do anything for his teammates, he’s good off the draw, he’s a right-handed draw, he can get in the bumper and score some goals.

“He can just fit around people and do whatever needs to be done at the time. He did that with Team USA to win a gold medal, but he’d done that for a lot of his career.”

So, is it a bummer that Beaudoin never got a chance to throw on a Mammoth sweater?

Absolutely.

But anytime an organization can trade its fourth- or fifth-best prospect for a recent Olympic gold medalist who immediately raises the ceiling of their team, they simply have no other choice but to make that deal.

How did the prospects fare at development camp?

Before we get to Iginla and Caleb Desnoyers, there were plenty of other standout performances during Utah’s weeklong development camp.

So, which players stood out the most aside from the former No. 6 and No. 4 overall picks, respectively?

Ethan Belchetz, Gabe Smith, Max Psenicka and Adam Valentini.

Beginning with Utah’s most recent first-round pick, Belchetz was as advertised.

In addition to towering over most of the other prospects, Belchetz was creative, heavy on the puck, ferocious on the forecheck, physical along the boards, active in the slot, drew penalties, blocked shots and scored twice in the scrimmage.

While I don’t necessarily expect him to seriously contend for an NHL roster spot this season, the Mammoth got great value for him at No. 17, where he’ll eventually be a menacing power forward for the club down the road.

Until then, he’ll likely spend the season at Michigan State.

As for Smith, the 6-foot-4 forward only continued to prove why he was steal in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL draft.

In addition to recently earning the honors of QMJHL playoff MVP, Smith did what he does best during camp as he found open spaces in the offensive zone and buried dangerous scoring chances.

While I anticipate he’ll spend the year in Tucson, as that’s likely the best place for him to continue developing, Smith had a very productive training camp a year ago and we’ll see if he can’t make the coaching staff’s job just a little bit harder this fall.

Perhaps my favorite player to watch during development camp, 96th overall pick Adam Valentini was all over the ice from start to finish.

Despite standing just 5-foot-10, the late third-round selection possesses a relentless motor and absolutely no fear which he then utilizes to create havoc throughout all three zones.

On one particular shift during the scrimmage, Valentini suffocated Team Black on the forecheck with so much intensity that two forwards had to retreat in order to effectively clear the zone.

Valentini will not necessarily become a cornerstone of the franchise, but he reminds me a lot of a Michael Carcone or Kailer Yamamoto — guys who play with so much heart and can round out Utah’s depth with the ability to lift their teammates regardless of the line they play on.

Anticipating he returns to Michigan for another season, Valentini will be one to keep an eye on as he’s already proving to be a steal.

“It’s a number and everyone is just trying to compete for a job,” Valentini said in regard to dropping to the third round of the 2026 NHL draft.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

Finally, defenseman Psenicka.

After being selected in the second round of the 2025 NHL draft, Psenicka had one specific goal in mind: contribute more offensively.

“My last season was pretty much (only) defensive when I was in Plzen, back in Czech, and when I came to Portland,” he said last summer. “That was kind of my role. But in previous seasons, I was more of a two-way (defenseman): jump into plays, more offensive — primarily offensive. Right now, I’m trying to pick it back (up) and just put more into the offensive.”

The result?

30 points (8G, 22A) for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL and arguably the most improved player at Utah’s development camp.

In addition to scoring the only goal of the scrimmage shootout, Psenicka was heavily involved offensively as he consistently pinched at the right times, moved the puck well, attacked the net on occasion and generated some dangerous scoring chances.

Couple that with his sound defense and Psenicka just might crack the Mammoth roster in a few years.

For now, we’ll see what he can do in Tucson.

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Can Tij Iginla or Caleb Desnoyers make the Mammoth roster this fall?

Unsurprisingly, the two best prospects at Utah’s development camp last week were Iginla and Desnoyers.

As former top-six selections, both players are expected to be major building blocks for the franchise — and neither disappointed.

Let’s start with Desnoyers.

Watch him for just a few moments and his hockey IQ absolutely jumps off of the page.

As demonstrated throughout the scrimmage, “Desy” was everywhere as he battled along the boards, delivered checks, generated turnovers, lit the lamp, facilitated with ease and was a constant danger every single shift.

Similar to Keller, Desnoyers has the ability to patiently survey the zone while keeping things moving and swiftly locating the most dangerous option.

Additionally, Desy’s 6-foot-2 frame generally gives him a size advantage in a lot of situations while he appears to possess even more speed than before.

Now for Iginla.

Without question, No. 12 was the most impressive prospect at development camp.

From Day 1, Iginla possessed an undeniable confidence and desire to make his intentions this fall known.

“I think I’m ready,” Iginla said in regard to whether or not he’s ready to make an NHL roster this season. “I’m looking forward to a big summer of training and pushing it hard in the gym. I feel ready.

“My goal is definitely to make the team this year.”

What followed was proof of his intentions as he was laser focused, took every drill seriously, dominated the competition and eventually registered a hat-trick in the scrimmage.

As I noted earlier this summer, I still believe that one of Desnoyers or Iginla will make the opening night roster.

However, based on this past week, I’d now give Iginla the advantage. Not just because of his performance but his general approach and mindset.

He simply looks and sounds ready.

“No one is making the team out of development camp. But the goal coming in here is to plant that seed. … Put that in the minds of people that are watching and stuff.”

No doubt, both of these players are special.

Iginla appears to be an offensive juggernaut, while Desnoyers has star potential.

Regardless of who makes the roster this season, both players are taking the proper steps toward an NHL debut, and will play a critical role for the Mammoth as they build towards eventual Stanley Cup contention.

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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