- Utah goalie Connor Ingram has been cleared to return from the NHL player assistance program.
- Ingram entered the program in March following his mother's death in December 2024.
- His return creates competition with Karel Vejmelka and VÃtek Vanecek as Utah prepares for training camp.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth goaltender room got a boost on Wednesday, with training camp just weeks away.
The NHL and NHL Players' Association announced that Utah goaltender Connor Ingram was cleared by the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to return to play after five months away.
Ingram entered the program for the second time in his eight-year NHL career on March 9, posting a message on social media citing the need to "put (his) health first" after the death of his mother in December 2024.
The first stint was in 2021 with the Nashville Predators, when Ingram opened up about his undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder and alcohol abuse to deal with anxiety.
Ingram was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for the 2023-24 season with the Arizona Coyotes in recognition of "the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey." He carried over as the de facto starter for Utah when the franchise left Arizona.
The 28-year-old Saskatchewan, Canada, native started 22 games for Utah before his departure in March, when 29-year-old Czech goalie Karel Vejmelka took over starting duties for the Mammoth and earned a five-year, $23.75 million extension.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding Ingram while away from the team, Utah signed former Florida Panthers back-up Vitek Vanecek to a one-year, $1.5 million contract during free agency in July.
The return of Ingram creates a healthy competition in the crease for the Mammoth, with players set to arrive in Utah for training camp next month. Official dates for camp have not been announced yet, but the team will travel to Denver for a pair of preseason split-squad matchups against the Colorado Avalanche on Sept. 21.
Ingram has a year remaining on his three-year, $5.85 million contract extension signed in 2023 and averaged 3.27 goals against with a 9-8-4 record during his 22 appearances for Utah.
