White Team forward Tij Iginla (12) controls the puck while guarded by Black Team defenseman Cal Thomas (57) during the Utah Hockey Club’s development camp intra-squad scrimmage held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 5, 2024 (Photo by Isaac Hale, Deseret News).
(Photo by Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Following the completion of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Utah Mammoth’s deep pool of prospects made their way to Park City Ice Arena to participate in on-ice drills.
After watching both sessions and speaking with several players, here are three takeaways from day one of the Utah Mammoth’s Development Camp.
Just three days after being selected fourth overall by the Utah Mammoth in the 2025 NHL Draft, Caleb Desnoyers took the ice for the first time in a Utah sweater.
Desnoyers takes the ice for the first time.#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/SJ5KvpAycw
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 30, 2025
So, how did he look?
Good. About as good as an 18-year-old prospect could look during a 90-minute session.
He skated strong, demonstrated his offensive abilities and was confident on the puck.
Quick hands and feet from Desnoyers. pic.twitter.com/ieT7MO5X4M
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 30, 2025
Now, while Desnoyers expressed his deep desire to surprise everyone and make the NHL this season (which is a testament to his competitive drive), that’s still fairly unlikely.
“My goal right now is to surprise everyone and make the team next year,” Desnoyers said during his Sunday press conference.
That’s not a knock to his skillset or ability, but as noted by Utah Director of Player Development Lee Stempniak, he’s young and it will take some time to get there.
“He’s an impressive kid. We were thrilled when we drafted him. Great personality,” Stempniak said.
“He’s young. It’s going to take time but naturally, he’s talented…he’s going to be a great fit for Utah.”
For now, we’ll see how Desnoyers progresses through development, rookie, and eventually training camp this fall.
No doubt he’s an incredibly talented player, but these things often take time.
Take one look at Michael Hrabal between the pipes and two things become obvious.
One, he’s absolutely enormous as he towers over the crossbar at 6-foot-6.
Second, he’s also incredibly athletic and moves so smoothly in the crease.
Michael Hrabal taking shots.
So much size and athleticism. pic.twitter.com/aChUG8kmI7
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 30, 2025
Stepping into his third year in Utah’s pipeline, Hrabal has made significant strides in his game that the coaching staff are very pleased with.
“I’ve noticed a big change in his presence in the net,” Stempniak said.
“I think he tracks the puck better…he had a really strong year. He was exceptional down the stretch [at UMass]…we’re really happy with him.”
As Stempniak pointed out, Hrabal posted an impressive .924 SV% and 2.38 GAA in 35 appearances last season while leading the Minutemen to a quarterfinal finish in the NCAA tournament.
Notably, he also helped Czechia secure a bronze medal at the 2025 World Juniors with an elite perfromance throughout the International competition.
Have a game, Michael Hrabal!! 🔥🇨🇿
The former @OmahaLancers goaltender stopped 25/26 shots in Czechia’s 5-1 win over Switzerland.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/B5tMDDLDji
— USHL (@USHL) December 27, 2024
MICHAEL HRABAL MAKES AN INCREDIBLE SAVE 😱#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/5WJAMGgFLU
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2024
As for Hrabal’s future, he’s already confirmed that he’ll be reporting back to UMass for his junior season in the NCAA.
According to the young netminder, there’s no reason to rush his development and that’s where he feels the most confident in terms of his immediate progression.
“As a goalie I don’t think there’s a rush. I’m still young and playing less games, having more time to practice,” Hrabal said.
“I think I can still get stronger and improve overall on and off the ice. I think that will help my game a lot.”
Hrabal on returning to UMass for another year:
“As a goalie I don’t think there’s a rush. I’m still young and playing less games, having more time to practice.
“I think I can still get stronger and improve overall on and off the ice. I think that will help my game a lot.” pic.twitter.com/ddhDOG4a59
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 30, 2025
With that in mind, Hrabal is expected to sign his NHL contract next summer and there’s a strong belief that he could be Utah’s primary goalie of the future.
Coming into Monday’s skate, there was a lot of anticipation surrounding Tij Iginla’s status.
After revealing that he had undergone double hip surgery this past winter during Sunday’s interviews, development camp would be one of his first opportunities to skate and play at a high level.
Iginla takes the ice.
Not sporting a non-contact sweater. pic.twitter.com/DxSs8YrI9B
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 30, 2025
However, following the first practice session, one would never even have known that he underwent such significant surgeries and there’s even an argument to be made that he looked like the strongest skater on the ice.
Iginla honestly looks like one of the strongest skaters on the ice today.
I’m curious to know how he feels but he doesn’t appear to be limited or in any discomfort.
He’s handling the puck really well too.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 30, 2025
Iginla looking really strong in this drill.
Quick little spin to shed the pressure and attack the net. pic.twitter.com/DdgBlYMq35
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 30, 2025
His stride was clean, turns were strong, steps were powerful, and he didn’t appear to be in any discomfort.
“He looks good. He looks really good…I thought he looked great,” Stempniak noted.
“He’s a really talented player. Can shoot the puck. Great offensive brain. To me, he looks like he hasn’t missed a step.”
This is great news for Iginla and the Mammoth.
Not to downplay the injuries, but he looked good and it’s clear that Iginla is doing everything he can to make a strong return.
“He’s obsessed with hockey. He’s watching video, he’s asking questions,” Stempniak added.
“He wants to know what type of systems we’re going to play next year in Utah so he can get a leg up.”
The Utah Mammoth will host the second consecutive prospect development camp at the Park City Ice Arena and Utah’s Olympic Oval from June 29 to July 3.
On-ice sessions are scheduled for 9:45 – 11:45 A.M. and 12:15 – 2:15 P.M. on Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1. Both practice sessions will be open to the public.
With an inability host a full development game at Delta Center, the mammoth will participate in a four-on-four intra-squad scrimmage that will simulate a mock game with on-ice officials on Thursday, July 3 at 12 P.M. at Utah’s Olympic Oval.
The Mammoth will host 500 youth hockey players throughout the Utah Amateur Hockey Association to watch the closed scrimmage.
