Karel Vejmelka #70 of the Utah Mammoth in net during the first period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on December 5, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
(Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – After missing last week’s game against the Colorado Avalanche due to an upper-body injury, Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka has been placed on injured reserved retroactive to December 23 and is considered day-to-day.
The Utah Mammoth have recalled goaltender Matt Villalta from the Tucson Roadrunners.
Goaltender Karel Vejmelka has been placed on IR (upper-body).
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 29, 2025
Despite participating in morning skate ahead of Utah’s matchup on December 23, Vejmelka was unexpectedly held out of the contest against the Colorado Avalanche.
In response, Vitek Vanecek started between the pipes and Utah was forced to sign practice goaltender Colten McIntyre to an Amateur Try-Out Agreement to ensure they had two rostered netminders.
Meet Colten McIntyre, the first Utah native to suit up for us in an @NHL game 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/TWp66SxnHx
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) December 24, 2025
According to the Mammoth, Vejmelka was immediately placed on injured reserve, and the team called up AHL goaltender Matt Villalta to backup Vanecek.
So, what does this all mean?
While Vejmelka has been on injured reserve for almost a week, he did have several days off due to the holiday break and the injury doesn’t seem to be anything major as he was a participant in Utah’s morning skate on Monday.
That’s a really good sign.
Villalta & Vejmelka having a chat.
Looks like Vejmelka will participate in morning skate. pic.twitter.com/7KtCSAfljG
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 29, 2025
Not only did he participate in several drills but given the fact that his IR date was six days ago, he’ll be eligible to play in Utah’s next game against the New Yorks Islanders on January 1.
In the meantime, Vanecek will be the starter while Villalta serves as Utah’s backup.
Vitek Vanecek is the first goaltender off the ice this morning which indicates he should start against Nashville tonight.#TusksUp #Smashville
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 29, 2025
In 11 appearances for the Mammoth this season, Vanecek is 2-8-1 with a .882 save percentage and 2.81 GAA.
As for Villalta, he’s registered a .903 save percentage and 2.94 GAA in 15 games for the Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL.
The Utah Mammoth will host the Nashville Predators at Delta Center on December 29 at 7 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM).
