
Utah Mammoth News




Simashev started the season in Utah, making his season debut and playing 24 games, but has since been in the AHL. The 20-year-old defenseman, the sixth-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 20 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).

Vejmelka was terrific in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, a rare loss for the Czech goalie, who has been tremendous in recent weeks. The 29-year-old Vejmelka has a dazzling 2.01 GAA and .925 SV% in his last nine games (8-1-0). Still, the Mammoth enter the action on Thursday as +151 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team with points in five straight games (4-0-1).

Vejmelka was terrific in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, a rare loss for the Czech goalie, who has been tremendous in recent weeks. The 29-year-old Vejmelka has a dazzling 2.01 GAA and .925 SV% in his last nine games (8-1-0). Still, the Mammoth enter the action on Thursday as +151 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team with points in five straight games (4-0-1).

O'Brien will slot in for Dylan Guenther, who was a surprise scratch due to a lower-body injury. O'Brien has two goals and one assist in 28 games this season.

Guenther was a surprise absence on Tuesday, with the Mammoth not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Liam O'Brien will draw into the lineup in his place.

Hebig is an undrafted 29-year-old forward that has yet to play an NHL game. He has exclusively spent the past eight seasons in the AHL, including scoring 33 points (15G / 18A) through 35 games with Tucson this season.

Simashev started the season in Utah, making his season debut and playing 24 games, but has since been in the AHL. The 20-year-old defenseman, the sixth-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 20 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).

Vejmelka will put a personal eight-game winning streak on the line when the Mammoth travel to Tampa Bay on Monday. Vejmelka has played lights out during the aforementioned streak, posting a .924 SV% and a 2.00 GAA. The 29-year-old netminder picked up his league-leading 29th win of the season on Saturday night, turning away 27 of 29 shots he faced in a 5-2 victory in Nashville. Despite the hot streak, Vejmelka and the Mammoth do enter action as slight underdogs on Monday at +145 on the money line.

With Lawson Crouse (illness) drawing back into the lineup, O'Brien will be the odd man out as a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old O'Brien has three points (2G / 1A) and 75 hits in 28 games this season.

Cooley has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 5th, but return to practice in a non-contact jersey on Monday. He was originally deemed unlikely to return prior to the Olympic break in February, which likely still holds true. The 21-year-old Cooley has a solid 23 points (14G / 9A) in 29 games this season, but has benefitted from a few big-game performances, resulting in him being held without a point in 15 games.

Crouse did not play in Utah's most recent game because of an illness, but should re-enter the lineup tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Crouse has been terrific since being elevated to the top line, recording 12 points (5G / 7A), 24 shots, and 38 hits in his last 13 games.



With Jacob Bryson being placed on IR on Friday, Zac Jones has earned a call up to Buffalo from Rochester (AHL). The 25-year-old has yet to appear in a game this season for the Sabres but has an impressive six goals and 37 points in 32 games with Rochester.

Vejmelka will be looking to continue a personal six-game winning streak when the Flyers come to Utah on Wednesday. The 29-year-old netminder secured his league-leading 23rd victory of the season in his last start, turning away 18 of the 21 shots he faced in a 6-3 win over Kraken on Saturday. He is in a great spot to keep the win streak alive on Wednesday as the Mammoth enter action at -175 on the money line.

Peeke did not play in Boston's previous game because of a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. The 27-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:46 time-on-ice and has nine points (4G / 5A) in 48 games this season
