Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) celebrates after scoring a goal with Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley (92), who assisted, during an NHL game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – With more than half of their inaugural season complete, the Utah Hockey Club finds themselves six points out of a wild card spot with a .500 record (19-19-7). As they approach the back half of their schedule and attempt to make a push for the playoffs, here’s a look at the top performers through 45 games.
Stats: 28 GP, 26 GS, .910 SV%, 2.54 GAA
Grade: A-
Karel Vejmelka has arguably played some of the best hockey of his career this season for Utah.
As a top 15 NHL goaltender in both save percentage (No. 15) and goals against (No. 13), Veggie has been consistently tough to beat.
After Connor Ingram stepped away from the team for nearly two months to attend to family matters, Vejmelka stepped up to fulfill the starting role and surpassed expectations.
VEG-GIE! 🥬 VEG-GIE! 🥬 pic.twitter.com/THNa7BM8ol
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) November 14, 2024
Outside of a few games, Vejmelka has put his team in a spot to win nearly every single night and is one of the primary reasons that Utah is still within reach of a playoff spot.
Stats: 40 GP, 16 G, 18 A, 16:16 TOI/G
Grade: A
21-year-old Dylan Guenther has been earning every penny of his new 8-year, $57.14M extension this season for the Utah Hockey Club.
With a team-high 16 goals to go with 18 assists, Guenther has been one of Utah’s primary offensive contributors all year.
MCBAIN FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET! 💪 pic.twitter.com/v4H3QQWBDH
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) November 24, 2024
Whether it’s shots from the slot, one-timers from his spot near the left face-off circle or greasy goals in close, No. 11 has been a menace in the O-zone.
🚨 GUNNER GOAL! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/x3h8inmaZ2
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) November 27, 2024
Unfortunately, Guenther has been on IR since January 8 and won’t be back for some time.
However, with an expectation to return before the season is over, he could offer Utah a significant boost of firepower if they’re still battling for a playoff spot once he’s back.
Stats: 44 GP, 15 G, 33 A, 18:58 TOI/G
Grade: A+
In his first season as Captain, Clayton Keller has been on an absolute tear for the Utah Hockey Club since late November.
Averaging more than a point per game in 2024-25, Keller has been a dominant force since his Four Nations Team USA snub with 26 points in 19 games (second-most among Americans during that span).
4️⃣ points for this guy last night! pic.twitter.com/1PMIvoKfc7
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 19, 2025
In addition to leading Utah in points (48), Keller is also on pace to break the 90-point mark for this first time in his career as he attempts to lead Utah to a playoff spot in their inaugural season.
Stats: 45 GP, 14G, 27 A, 17:30 TOI/G
Grade: A+
Logan Cooley’s game has experienced a significant evolution this season as he’s nearly matched his 2023-24 totals (20G, 24A) in just 45 games for Utah.
Whether he’s on the top line, second line, power play or power kill, Cooley has not only embraced his roles, but he’s also excelled in every one of them.
Keller and Cooley are on 🔥 tonight! 4-2 Utah. pic.twitter.com/6MIATcjaQ3
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 19, 2025
With his elite puck-handling, creativity, vision, speed, finishing and playmaking skills, Cooley clearly possesses superstar potential and just might be Utah’s best overall player.
Puck 👏 Don’t 👏 Lie 👏
The Captain extends the lead! pic.twitter.com/vb6jyphffd
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 19, 2025
Oh yeah, and don’t forget that he’s only 20.
Stats: 44 GP, 8G, 22A, 25:44 TOI/G
Grade: A++
Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev has been everything the Utah Hockey Club wanted and more since being acquired by the team last summer.
As a league leader in average ice time, NHL shifts and shorthanded minutes while playing on Utah’s top defensive pairing, power play unit and PK, Sergachev has been Utah’s MVP so far this season.
Mikhail Sergachev this season:
– 2nd in the NHL in average ice time (25:50)
– 3rd in the NHL in shifts (1,348)
– Most shorthanded minutes in the NHLI asked him if he was enjoying all those minutes.
His response: “Yes, I love hockey.”
Can’t ask for a more all in type guy. pic.twitter.com/HWf5hcrjnl
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 16, 2025
Whether it’s netting OT winners, blocking shots with his head, assisting his teammates or wearing an “A” on his sweater sooner than anticipated, Utah received a No. 1 defenseman and an absolute warrior when they traded for Sergachev.
It’s a Sergy and Schmaltz world and we’re just livin’ in it 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/v4z3Bv71dZ
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) November 27, 2024
SERGY. IS. THAT. GUY. COOLS. IS. THAT. GUY. UTAH WINS!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Uog7IRxlKb
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 19, 2024
As Utah continues to build towards the playoffs and eventual postseason contention, Sergachev will play a critical role in that effort as he’s simply a different breed of player who can alter the culture of a team.
The Utah Hockey Club will host the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
