SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 08: Connor Ingram #39 of Utah Hockey Club defends the net against the Chicago Blackhawks at Delta Center on October 08, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This game is the first for the franchise in Utah following their relocation from Arizona. The Utah Hockey Club defeated the Blackhawks 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Mammoth have officially traded veteran goaltender Connor Ingram to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for future considerations.
BREAKING: The Utah Mammoth have Traded Goaltender Connor Ingram to the Edmonton Oilers in Exchange for Future Considerations.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 1, 2025
After being placed on waivers last week and clearing without being claimed, Utah then traded the veteran goaltender to Edmonton on Wednesday morning, in exchange for future considerations.
“We would like to thank Connor for everything he has done for the organization,” said Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Mammoth. “He is a class act, great teammate, and we wish him nothing but the best.”
According to National Insider Elliotte Friedman, Ingram will begin his fresh new start with the Oilers AHL Affiliate in Bakersfield.
This allows Edmonton to take on Ingram’s contract without it impacting their cap space.
Notably, Utah will retain $800,000 (40%) of Ingram’s remaining contract as part of the deal.
In early March, Ingram entered the NHLPA Player Assistance Program following the tragic passing of his mother to breast cancer.
“For those of you that don’t know, earlier this season I lost my mother to breast cancer. After trying to make a return to playing, l have come to realize that I am not myself,” Ingram wrote on social media.
“At this point in my life I need to put my health first, and the take the proper time I need away to come back at 100%. Though many view the program as a resource for substance abuse, I want to recognize all that they do. I am once again privileged to have access to their network of world-class health professionals to hopefully avoid long-term negative effects of putting your health second. With the program’s assistance, l look forward to getting the medical help I need and returning to a happy and healthy life.”
This marked the second instance that Ingram had utilized the program after addressing obsessive-compulsive disorder back in 2021.
Roughly a month ago, Ingram then cleared the assistance program and could return to the NHL.
After clearing the program and becoming eligible to return, Utah’s front office announced during media day that Ingram would not attend the Mammoth’s training camp as he sought a new home.
BREAKING: Connor Ingram will NOT attend training camp as he and the team work to find him a new home.
Armstrong says they plan to eventually place him on waivers.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 17, 2025
Notably, both sides worked cohesively towards a positive outcome in order to provide Ingram with a fresh start on a new team that better suited his needs.
“We’re so excited for him in his path to recovery,” Armstrong said. “That’s the biggest thing. We always look at the player and the person. It’s incredible to know that he’s back ready to play.”
“We both had a mutual agreement. We said, hey listen, we have our goaltenders, it’s probably best for him not to come to camp…at some point in time we’ll put him on waivers.”
In his absence, Vitek Vanecek will now step into the No. 2 role as Utah’s backup behind Karel Vejmelka.
“Vanecek will bring a lot,” Head coach Andre Tourigny told KSL Sports before training camp. “He brings experience, he’s played a lot of games in the league, and he’s a capable goalie in the NHL.”
“That will be important to have a good mix with Vej.”
With a fresh start, Vanecek said that he feels prepared to even challenge Vejmelka for more minutes this season as a recent Stanley Cup Champion.
“In the NHL, it’s always the better goalie plays. So, I don’t think that way, what he [Vejmelka] signed or not,” Vaněček explained.
“I know if I am winning a lot of games, they’re going to give me the time. If he is winning a lot of games, he’s going to get the time. I think it’s going to be a good battle with him.”
Training camp will take place from September 17 through October 4 at the new training facility in Sandy.
The Utah Mammoth will now host the Los Angeles Kings at the newly renovated Delta Center on October 2 at 7 p.m.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
